'' Tender Mercies '' was shown in competition at the 1983 Cannes Film Festival , where it was described as a relatively optimistic alternative to darker , more violent entries like '' One Deadly Summer '' , '' Moon in the Gutter '' and '' Merry Christmas , Mr. Lawrence '' . It was also shown at the 1983 International Film Festival of India in New Delhi . A jury headed by director Lindsay Anderson determined that none of the films in contention , including '' Tender Mercies '' , were good enough to win the Golden Peacock , the festival 's top prize . Film critic Jugu Abraham said the jury 's standards were higher than those of the Academy Awards , and that '' Tender Mercies '' lack of success at the festival was a " clear example of what is good cinema for some , not being so good for others "
1983 Cannes Film Festival
1983 Cannes Film Festival
Tender Mercies