Cannes 2025: A Taxi Ride, a Quran Verse, and a Powerful Message of Unity

Cannes 2025: A Jury Prize Winner's Touching Tale of Shared History The 2025 Cannes Film Festival saw Oliver Laxe win the Jury Prize for his film "Sirât." But beyond the award, Laxe shared a deeply personal story that resonated with audiences. Five years earlier, while attending the Jerusalem Film Festival, he found himself in a taxi driven by a Palestinian man. Their conversation, recounted in a recent video, revealed a surprising connection. "We were talking, and he told me he was Palestinian, and I was Spanish," Laxe recalled. The conversation took an unexpected turn when the driver mused, "Maybe I was Jewish a long time ago." Laxe responded in kind, "Maybe I was Muslim, Jewish...Galician, even a bit Viking!" This exchange, Laxe explained, highlighted the shared heritage and interconnectedness of cultures. He even quoted a verse from the Quran, which speaks to the idea of bringing people from different tribes together. The video concludes with Laxe's heartfelt toast: "Long live our differences, long live cultures, and long live the Cannes Film Festival!" Laxe's story provides a powerful message of unity and understanding, underscoring the role of cinema in bridging cultural divides.