Lesbian drama scoops top prize at Cannes Film Festival

Blue is the Warmest Colour, an intimate love story about two young French women, has won the Palme d'Or for best film at the Cannes Film Festival.

The three-hour coming-of-age movie has attracted attention for its explicit sex scenes as well as the acclaimed performances of actresses Adele Exarchopoulos and Lea Seydoux.

Exarchopoulos plays a 15-year-old who falls in love with an older woman, played by Seydoux.

Directed by Abdellatif Kechiche, it won rave reviews in Cannes but also shocked some critics. Variety magazine said it contained "the most explosively graphic lesbian sex scenes in recent memory" while the Hollywood Reporter said the "sprawling drama" would "raise eyebrows" as it crossed the barrier "between performance and the real deal".

Some had questioned whether the sex scenes may make it too explicit for the top prize.

But director Steven Spielberg, who chaired the jury, told reporters: "I think it will get a lot of play... I think this film carries a very strong message, a very positive message."

In an unusual move, Spielberg awarded the prize to the two lead actresses as well as the director.

Accepting the prize, Abdellatif Kechiche said: "I should like to dedicate this film to the wonderful youth of France whom I met during the long period while making this film.

"Those young people taught me a lot about the spirit of freedom and living together."