JERUSALEM (JTA) — Israeli director Joseph Cedar won the best screenplay award at the Cannes International Film Festival for his movie "Footnote."
Cedar, whose film "Beaufort" was nominated for an Oscar in 2007, had left Cannes on Sunday and was called back to receive his prize. He did not return in time to personally accept the award.
"Footnote," which centers on a father and son who are rival Talmudic scholars, opens June 2 throughout Israel. The film will be distributed in the United States by Sony.
Cannes faced controversy after Danish director Lars von Trier was expelled from the festival following statements expressing sympathy for Hitler and Nazis. His film "Melancholia" had been favored to win the Palme d’Or prize for best picture.
Kirsten Dunst won the best actress award for her part in the film; it did not win any other prizes.
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