Battle for the coveted Palme d’Or will play out on the French Riviera

The top prize at Cannes has, of late, become a sort of cinematic oracle, whispering clues about the Oscars months ahead of schedule

Wagner Moura in a scene from Kleber Mendonça Filho's political thriller ‘The Secret Agent’.

Cannes. That peculiar stretch of Riviera real estate that bursts into life every May. 

For some, it's all about the champagne and photo calls. For others, it’s the battle for the Palme d’Or — a prize that has, of late, become a sort of cinematic oracle, whispering clues about the Oscars months ahead of schedule.