International Film Critics Vote 'Mad Max: Fury Road' Year's Best Film

Director George Miller's apocalyptic action film beat out more arthouse titles including Jafar Panahi's 'Taxi' and Laszlo Nemes' 'Son of Saul.'

George Miller's Mad Max: Fury Road is the surprise choice for best film of the year, as chosen by the International Federation of Film Critics (FIPRESCI).

The apocalyptic action drama, which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in May, stars Charlize Theron and Tom Hardy. It's the sequel to Miller's Mad Max trilogy, which starred Mel Gibson.

Miller beat out three other finalists for the best film honor: Laszlo Nemes’ Son of Saul, Hou Hsiao-Hsien’s The Assassin and Jafar Panahi’s Taxi. The 2015 best film award was selected from among films that premiered after July 1, 2014. 493 FIPRESCI members – all international film critics -- voted for the award.

“You could have knocked me over with a feather!,” said Miller in a statement. “It’s lovely to have this great cohort of critics acknowledge our collective labours in this way.”

Miller will receive the FIPRESCI Grand Prix at the San Sebastian Film Festival on Sept. 18, where Mad Max: Fury Road will also get a special gala screening.

Since its creation in 1999, the FIPRESCI Grand Prix has been awarded to such directors as Michael Haneke, Paul Thomas Anderson, Jean-Luc Godard and Pedro Almodovar.

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