Bill Pohlad (L) and Dede Gardner, producers of the American film "The Tree of Life", present the Palme d'Or in Cannes, France, May 22, 2011. The film by American director Terrence Malick has won the 2011 Golden Palm (Palme d'Or), the most prestigious award of the 64th Cannes International Film Festival ending on Sunday night. (Xinhua/Gao Jing)

"The Tree of Life" by American director Terrence Malick has won the 2011 Golden Palm (Palme d'Or), the most prestigious award of the 64th Cannes International Film Festival ending on Sunday night.

Starred by Brad Pitt, Sean Penn and Jessica Chastain, the classic movie tells a story went back to the 1950's and featured the life of the eldest son of a Midwestern family who tries to find answers to the meaning of life and the relation with God through shots from the innocence of childhood to and disillusioned adult years.

Director Malick said he has conceived the script for 30 years before realizing it through the movie reflecting a life in 2 hours and 18 minutes. However, the producer of the film, Bill Pohlad, instead of the director himself represented the producing team to take the Golden Palm on stage.

"Tonight I have to take the place of a giant. Terrence Malick is very shy and discreet .. The Tree Of Life was a long journey, but it was all worth it. I would like to thank especially the Festival de Cannes." Pohlad said after receiving his prize from actress Jane Fonda.

US actress Kirsten Dunst poses during a photocall after being awarded with the Prix d'Interpretation Feminine (best actress) at the 64th Cannes Film Festival in Cannes.

The Best Director Award was granted to Denmark director Nicholas Winding Refn for "Drive". This is a story featuring how a Hollywood stunt driver seeks to avoid dangerous pursuit after promising to help his neighbor.

After taking the prize, Refn said: "It is an immense honor to receive this award because film is a director's means of expression." He then presented his thanks first to his mother then to Ryan Gosling, the leading actor of the movie, and his wife.

U.S. veteran actress Kirsten Dunst took home the Best Actress Award for "Melancholia", which in the movie is the name of a planet that moves to collide with earth when a new couple are celebrating their marriage.

Receiving the prize, Dunst thanked the jury for keeping the movie in competition and called this night "a real honor."

Jean Dujardin, the 39 years-old French actor branded as "one of the most bankable stars in French cinema," won best actor for "The Artist" by Michel Hazavanicius. This is a film paying homage to the era of silent movie by showing romance stories between George Valentin, a silent movie superstar and a young female rising-star, played by Berenice Bejo.

French director Maiwenn Le Besco speaks after being awarded with the Prix du Jury during the closing ceremony of the 64th Cannes Film Festival in Cannes.

The Jury Prize went to French director Maiwenn for her film " Polisse", and the Grand Prize was shared by films "Bir Zamanlar Anadolu'da" ("Once upon a time in Anatolia") by Nuri Bilge Ceylan and "Le Gamin au Velo" ("The Kid with a Bike") directed by Jean- Pierre et Luc Dardenne.

The 64th International Film Festival of Cannes lasted from the 11th to the 22nd of May. A total of 21 movies ran in the competition for the Golden Palm.