'' Barton Fink '' had its premiere at the Cannes Film Festival in May 1991 . In a rare sweep , it won the Palme d'Or , as well as awards for Best Director and Best Actor ( Turturro ) . Although the film was a box office disappointment , only grossing $ 6 million against its $ 9 million budget , it received positive reviews and was nominated for 3 Academy Awards . Prominent themes of '' Barton Fink '' include the writing process ; slavery and conditions of labor in creative industries ; superficial distinctions between high culture and low culture ; and the relationship of intellectuals with " the common man "
Cannes Film Festival
1991 Cannes Film Festival
Barton Fink