CANNES (France): A stirring Japanese film about death and grief, “The Mourning Forest,” claimed the Grand Prix at Cannes on Sunday, the runner-up prize for best picture at the world's premiere filmfest.

Director Naomi Kawase was in tears as she accepted the prize for her film, “Mogari No Mori” in Japanese, which offered a gentle but powerful look at people haunted by tragic loss.

Kawase, who will turn 38 on Wednesday, said she had aimed to make a film that captured life's trials and sources of inspiration.

“In life there are many difficulties, many things that make you suffer and hesitate along the way,” she said.

“At such moments, one finds strength not in money, cars or clothing but in something intangible... people who came before us and who give us their strength. When you find this support you can continue to move ahead alone.” Kawase won the Camera d'Or at Cannes for best first film 10 years ago for “The God Suzaku” (Moe no suzaku), a family tragedy set in a remote timber village.

The current film tells the story of Shigeki, a mysterious resident at a retirement home in the mountains outside Nara City in western Japan who befriends a caregiver at the facility, Machiko.

“The Mourning Forest” was one of 22 competition films screened at the 60th Cannes.—AFP