On May 9, 2002, Halle Berry made history by winning the Best Actress Award at the Cannes Film Festival for her role in Monster’s Ball. Although more often cited for her Academy Award win earlier that year, her Cannes recognition solidified her international acclaim and broke barriers for Black actresses in European cinema circuits. Berry’s victories in 2002 exposed both the persistent underrepresentation of Black women in Hollywood and the possibilities for change. Her awards generated important conversations about race, representation, and opportunity within the global entertainment industry.
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