It would be fitting that the announcement over Cannes Film Festival 2011 jury president would come the day I watched last year’s Palme d’Or winner, Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives. In 2010, Tim Burton headed the jury that picked Apichatpong Weerasethakul‘s film as our top winner. The official Cannes site reports that Robert De Niro will help decide the winner this year. His duty is to oversee eight other chosen film artists, whether it be actors, directors, etc., as they all choose who and what will win the awards, which include:
- The Palm d’Or
- Grand Prix
- Prix du Jury
- Best Actress, Actor, Screenplay, and Director.
You may read De Niro’s statement below:
As co-founder of the Tribeca Film Festival and the Doha Tribeca Film Festival I have an increased appreciation for the jury, who serve, undertaking an important role in choosing films that are represented in the world of film at its highest level, and these types of festivals help connect the international film community and have a lasting cultural impact. Having served as President of the Jury in the eighties twice, I know this isn’t an easy task for me or my fellow jury members, but I’m very honored and happy to head the jury for this year’s Cannes Film Festival.
While nothing has been confirmed, there have been rumors of new films from Wong Kar Wai, Pedro Almodovar, Lynne Ramsay, Paolo Sorrentino, Lars von Trier, Virginie Despentes and Terrence Malick. Let’s hope De Niro picks a better film than Uncle Boonmee. While I love my share of meditative art-house films, I thought it was mostly crap. This line-up is looking pretty stellar though.
The 64th Festival de Cannes will take place from May 11th to 22th, 2011.
What do you think will premiere at Cannes 2011?