‘Two Days, One Night’ takes top prize at Sydney Film Festival

Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne’s Two Days, One Night has taken the top prize at the Sydney Film Festival, trumping favourites such as Boyhood and Locke, as well as Australian features The Rover and Ruin.

Marion Cotillard stars in the picture as a woman who has a weekend to convince her colleagues to turn down a bonus and save her from being made redundant.

The jury, led by Rachel Perkins, bucked Sydney Film Fest tradition by celebrating one of the more widely beloved entrants in the Official Competition.

Recent winners, such as Alps and Only God Forgives, were largely controversial choices.

The Dardenne brothers were awarded $61,000 for their troubles.

Janine Hosking’s 35 Letters was also named Best Australian Documentary at the closing night festivities.