The 76th Cannes Festival Most Prestigious Honor Presented to Director Justine Triet
Crafted with Unmatched Artistry in Chopard Haute Joaillerie Workshops
As the exclusive jeweler entrusted with the creation of the Palme d'Or, the most esteemed accolade in the realm of cinematography, Chopard has nurtured an exceptional bond with the Cannes Film Festival since 1998. This iconic trophy, marking the inception of our unparalleled partnership, embodies our Maison passion for cinema and unwavering commitment to sustainable luxury. Since 2014, the Palme d'Or has been meticulously crafted using Fairmined-certified ethical gold. At the 76th Cannes Film Festival, director Justine Triet was honored with this prestigious distinction for her remarkable film Anatomy of a Fall. Let us delve into the allure of this highly coveted masterpiece.
A Serendipitous Encounter
In 1997, Caroline Scheufele, Co-President and Artistic Director of Chopard, crossed paths with Pierre Viot, the President of the Cannes International Film Festival at the time. During their conversation, Caroline inquired about the jeweler associated with the festival, to which Pierre responded that none existed. Seizing the opportunity as a jewelry creator, she proposed that Chopard become the official partner jeweler for the event and envisioned a more contemporary design for the Palme d'Or. Pierre Viot embraced the proposal, and thus began the extraordinary alliance between Chopard and the Cannes Festival. Over the years, this collaboration has flourished and evolved, leading to the creation of the Trophée Chopard in 2001, honoring breakthrough talents in cinema, both male and female.
A Legendary Trophy
"The Palme d'Or marks the beginning of our commitment to cinema," says Caroline Scheufele. "For 26 years, we have crafted this award with unwavering enthusiasm and passion in our Geneva Haute Joaillerie workshops. It is an immense responsibility, as we are not only the sole jeweler entrusted with creating this trophy, but its emotional significance and symbolism are truly unparalleled." The Palme d'Or, inspired by the palm trees adorning La Croisette and the coat-of-arms of Cannes, which recalls Saint Honorat seeking refuge in a palm tree during a storm that drove the snakes away from the Lérins Islands, was completely reimagined and redesigned by Caroline Scheufele in 1998. Previously crafted in a small workshop in Paris, the Cannes trophy was gold-plated and mounted on a Plexiglas base. Chopard transformed it into a precious jewel, using 18-carat yellow gold and rock crystal. Infusing volume and movement into the 19 leaves of the "divine" golden palm branch, as if gently swaying in a sea breeze, and adorning the stem with a heart, the signature of our Maison, Chopard brought forth an extraordinary masterpiece. The exquisite Palme d'Or rests upon a block of rock crystal, resembling an emerald-cut diamond, with natural inclusions that make each piece truly unique.
118 Grams of Ethical Gold
With the exception of a few special editions embellished with diamonds (commemorating the 70th and 75th anniversaries of the Festival, as well as the 25th anniversary of Chopard's partnership in 2022), the timeless design of the Palme d'Or has remained unaltered since 1998. However, in 2014, as part of our ongoing Journey to Sustainable Luxury initiated in 2013, Chopard decided to include the production of the Cannes award using Fairmined-certified ethical gold, responsibly sourced through artisanal mining. It remains the only film industry prize crafted from this certified ethical precious metal.
Unparalleled Artistry
The crafting of the iconic Palme d'Or is a testament to the remarkable expertise found within Chopard Geneva workshops. The entire process of producing this ultimate award, from start to finish, demands an astonishing 70 hours of meticulous work. To ensure absolute consistency, a single artisan undertakes the creation, aided by six skilled craftsmen contributing to various stages of production. The gold is first melted in our workshops in Geneva and then poured into a mold intricately shaped to resemble the palm branch, which is initially formed in wax. The "lost wax casting" technique is employed to obtain the golden branch after the wax is melted during the firing process. The jeweler meticulously trims, cleans, and polishes the award from every angle, before securing it to its rock crystal cushion, ready to be presented before the world cameras. The Cannes Film Festival is undoubtedly one of the most globally recognized events, second only to the Olympic Games. Just like the Palme d'Or, the other eight awards bestowed at the closing ceremony—the Best Actress Award, Best Actor Award, Grand Prix, Best Director Award, Screenplay Award, Jury Prize, Short Film Palme d'Or, and Caméra d'Or—are also crafted in Chopard esteemed Haute Joaillerie workshops.
The Undisputed Symbol of the Prestigious Festival
The Palme d'Or remains the undeniable emblem of the illustrious Cannes Film Festival, encapsulating the extraordinary relationship between Chopard and the festival—an alliance best summarized in a single phrase: "Chopard Loves Cinema."
On May 27th, 2023, the esteemed jury of the 76th Cannes Film Festival awarded the Palme d'Or to Justine Triet for her exceptional film Anatomy of a Fall.