Sebastian Stan and Renate Reinsve tear up as ‘Fjord’ gets 10-minute standing ovation at Cannes 2026 film festival

Sebastian Stan and Renate Reinsve grew emotional at the Cannes Film Festival as their family drama ‘Fjord’ received a 10-minute standing ovation at its premiere on Monday night. The Cristian Mungiu film screened at the Grand Palais and drew strong reactions from the audience for its story about a Romanian family in Norway whose life breaks apart after state authorities take away their children over alleged abuse.According to Variety, ‘Fjord’ follows the Gheorghiu family, led by a Romanian father played by Stan and a Norwegian mother played by Reinsve. The family moves to a quiet Norwegian village, where they build a new life before they come under scrutiny. Their children are then removed from their care, setting off a painful legal and personal crisis.The Cannes audience reacted strongly during the screening, with viewers gasping as the parents faced the loss of their teens, tweens, and infant. The film centers on the clash between strict religious beliefs, social norms, and state power. After the screening, Mungiu thanked the audience in French and English. “I want to thank everybody here for trusting me,” he said.The filmmaker also said Cannes remains an important test for his work and whether a film will stand the test of time. The story follows the Gheorghius after they settle in the mother’s birthplace, a remote village near a bay. They soon become close to the Halbergs, a neighboring family. The children from both homes grow close, but the Gheorghius’ lives change when they face suspicion over disturbing behavior.Mungiu has a long history with Cannes. He won the Palme d’Or in 2007 for ‘4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days’. He later won best screenplay in 2012 for ‘Beyond the Hills’ and best director in 2016 for ‘Graduation’. His 2022 drama ‘R.M.N.’ also competed at the festival. Stan and Reinsve are also Cannes veterans. Stan attended the festival for ‘The Apprentice’, while Reinsve won best actress for ‘The Worst Person in the World’. She also returned with ‘Sentimental Value’, which won the Grand Prix. Neon picked up ‘Fjord’ a year before its Cannes debut. The distributor also has ‘Hope’ and ‘Paper Tiger’ at Cannes this year.