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CANNES — Confirming its status as a Palme d’Or frontrunner, 2016 Cannes sensation “Toni Erdmann” won the International Critics’ Prize Saturday for best picture in Cannes Competition. Plaudit was awarded by the International Federation of Film Critics (Fipresci).

A “stunningly singular” third feature from Germany’s Maren Ade, per Variety’s Guy Lodge, “Maren Ade” has been one of the best reviewed Cannes Competition movies in the last decade. Lodge, for example, called it a “unique study of an estranged but mutually depressive father and daughter” which is “a humane, hilarious triumph.” Last year’s Fipresci Competition winner, “Son of Saul,” went on to Oscar glory, snagging an Academy Award in the foreign language category. Sold by The Match Factory, “Toni Erdmann” is a Komplizen Film production in co-production with Coop99, KNM, Missing Link Films and SWR/WDR/ARTE. Sony Pictures Classics has acquired “Toni Erdmann” for North and Latin America.

“‘No Country For Old Men’ as reimagined by the Romanian New Wave,” wrote Variety’s Peter Debruge, “Dogs,” from Romanian first-feature director Bogdan Mirica, a crime thriller set in a benighted corner of Romania, won Fipresci’s jury vote for best picture in this year’s Un Certain Regard. Produced by EZ Films, 42 KM Film and Argo Film, “Dogs” is sold by Bac Films.

Fipresci’s third prize, awarded to a title in either Directors’ Fortnight or Critics’ Week, was snagged by “Raw.” A femme campus cannibal gorefest, cast by critics as a confident, stylish feature debut from France’s Julia Ducornau, it features a no-holds-barred perf from on-the-rise actress Garance Marillier as a student vet whose vulnerability is offset by her flesh-eating. Lead-produced by Jean des Forets, and co-produced by Rouge Intl. and FraKas Prods., the Wild Bunch-sold “Raw” will have been gobbled up by distributors at Cannes.

Xavier Dolan’s Competition contender, “It’s Only the End of the World,” about a terminally ill gay man, won Cannes’ Ecumenical Award. Cannes head Thierry Fermaux accepted an award from Fipresci in thanks for it 50 years jury presence at Cannes, and Cannes; support for the international press.

The top prizes for Competition, including the Palme d’Or, are awarded Sunday evening. Un Certain Regard official kudos are announced later today.

Fahime Nafir contributed to this report

INTERNATIONAL CRITICS’ PRIZES, CANNES 2016

COMPETITION

“Toni Erdmann,” (Maren Ade, Germany, Austria)

UN CERTAIN REGARD

“Dogs,” (Bogdan Mirica, Romania, France)

DIRECTORS’ FORTNIGHT/CRITICS WEEK

“Raw” (Julia Ducournau, France, Belgium)