Only God Forgives: Ryan Gosling film up for Cannes Palme d'Or

Ryan Gosling in 'Drive' (Picselect )

Ryan Gosling's second film with Drive director Nicolas Winding Refn is in the running for the top prize at this year's Cannes film festival.

Only God Forgives, which stars Gosling as a criminal in the Bangkok underworld, has been shortlisted for the coveted Palme d'Or.

The film, which also stars Kristin Scott Thomas, is up against Ethan and Joel Coen's Inside Llewyn Davis, which is set in New York 1960s folk music scene and stars Justin Timberlake, John Goodman and Carey Mulligan.

Other nominees include Japanese director Takashi Miike and veteran Roman Polanski.

Steven Soderbergh's Behind The Candelabra - a biopic of pianist Liberace with Michael Douglas in the starring role - is also in the running.

Other films being shown at the annual industry bash in the south of France, which mixes Hollywood glamour and high art, include Baz Luhrmann's The Great Gatsby and Sofia Coppola's The Bling Ring, which stars Harry Potter actress Emma Watson.

PA