Ryusuke Hamaguchi’s “All Of A Sudden” Garners Record 11-Minute Standing Ovation at Cannes 2026

On Friday night at the 2026 Cannes Film Festival, Ryusuke Hamaguchi’s 3-hour-16-minute drama *All Of A Sudden* received an 11-minute standing ovation in the Grand Palais. Organizers confirmed the applause was the longest response recorded at this edition of the festival. Audience members were observed openly weeping, and the film’s stars Virginie Efira and Tao Okamoto were seen wiping away tears as the applause continued. The 11-minute applause persisted for several minutes after the film’s final scene, with murmurs of appreciation echoing through the Grand Palais.

The Hindu

*All Of A Sudden* is set between Paris and Kyoto and follows the evolving relationship between a French nursing-home director and a terminally ill Japanese theatre artist. The narrative explores care, mortality, and the transformative impact of the artist’s arrival. The screenplay is loosely inspired by a published correspondence, and the film marks Hamaguchi’s first feature shot in French. Its title is the longest among the competition entries.

The Hindu

Hamaguchi previously earned critical acclaim at Cannes for *Drive My Car*, which later secured four Academy Award nominations and won Best International Feature. His return occurs amid heightened political discourse at Cannes, including debates over Gaza, censorship, and the future of auteur cinema. The festival has also generated strong reactions to other competition titles such as Pawel Pawlikowski’s *Fatherland* starring Sandra Hüller.

The Hindu

The film stars French actress Virginie Efira and Japanese actress Tao Okamoto, both visibly moved during the ovation. The 2026 competition jury is chaired by South Korean filmmaker Park Chan-wook and includes Demi Moore, Chloé Zhao, and Stellan Skarsgård. U.S. distributor Neon, which handled *Drive My Car* in North America, has again secured American rights for *All Of A Sudden*.

The Hindu

• Runtime: 3 hours 16 minutes

The Hindu

• Standing ovation length: 11 minutes (longest at Cannes 2026)

The Hindu

• Competition title length: longest among the competition entries

The Hindu

• Prior Cannes accolade: *Drive My Car* (2021) – Palme d’Or runner-up, Oscar winner

The Hindu

Following the screening, Hamaguchi addressed the audience through a translator, expressing gratitude to viewers, actors, and crew for staying with a film of such length. Neon’s acquisition of U.S. distribution rights was noted in festival reports, underscoring the film’s anticipated international reach. No further official comments from festival organizers were reported.

The Hindu

> “Thank you for staying with us for this long movie.” — Ryusuke Hamaguchi, Director (via translator)

The Hindu

The extended ovation has positioned *All Of A Sudden* as a leading contender for the Palme d’Or. The festival’s award ceremony, scheduled for later in May, will determine whether Hamaguchi adds a second top prize to his Cannes résumé.

The Hindu