‘Mission’ Wins Top Cannes Prize

CANNES, France —  The British film “The Mission,” starring Robert de Niro and Jeremy Irons as two Jesuit priests during the 18th-Century colonization of South America, today won the Golden Palm award for best film of the 39th Cannes Film Festival.

American Martin Scorcese won the prize for best director for his film, “After Hours.” Soviet exile Andre Tarkovsky won the special Grand Prix for his film “Sacrifice,” which was filmed in Sweden. Britain’s Bob Hoskins and France’s Michel Blanc were each awarded prizes as best actor.