Dolan defies critics, wins Cannes Grand Prix

Quebec directorXavier Dolan has won theGrand Prix at the 69th Cannes Film Festival for his film Juste la fin dumonde.Theprize is second only tothe covetedPalmed'Or, which went to BritishfilmmakerKen Loach forI, Daniel Blake.

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The filmfeatures performances by VincentCassel, MarionCotillardandLaSeydoux. Itis based on a play byJean-LucLagarceabout a man who returns home after a long absence, only to tell his family that he is about to die.

A surprisewin

Juste la fin dumonde (It's only the end of the world)is the 27-year-old's sixth film and was considered a long shot for awards and accolades.

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Justela fin dumondereceived a lukewarm reception from bothaudiences and critics when it premiered last week.Vanity Fair's critic called it "the most disappointing film at Cannes."

But along with Sunday's Grand Prix, Dolan's film also won the prize ofEcumenical Juryon Saturday, for its"human qualities that deal with the spiritual dimension."

Prime Minister Justin Trudeaupublicly congratulated Dolan on Twitter following the win.

Juste la fin dumondeopens Sept.21 in Quebec.

Previous success at Cannes

In 2014 Dolan's film Mommy shared the jury prizewith French filmmaker Jean-Luc Godard.

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The film had been a serious contender for the Palmed'Or,whichwent to the Turkish dramaWinter Sleep.

Dolan has long been a Cannes darling.His first foray into the French film festival was in 2009 with his directorialdebut, I Killed My Mother, which he wrote when he was only 17. The film picked up three awards:the Art Cinema Award, the SACD prizeand theRegards jeunesprize.

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