The head of the new Cannes jury this May is…Steven Spielberg. It’s sort of amazing after four decades of blockbusters, Oscar nominees, and “Schindler’s List,” Spielberg is finally coming to the Croisette. In announcing the appointment, Thierry Fremaux says the director of “Lincoln” actually accepted two years ago. But he’s always so busy! So what happened? “Robopocalypse” got pulled off its schedule for a new script. Spielberg has time on his hands. So we lucked out. Now a jury must be organized. It will be interesting to see who Spielberg picks to help him look at all those movies.
From the press release:
“Steven Spielberg accepted in principle two years ago”, declared Thierry Frémaux, General Delegate of the Festival. “He was able to make himself available this year to be the new Jury President and when meeting him these last few weeks it has been obvious he’s excited about the job. Because of his films, and the many causes he holds dear, he’s year-in year-out the equal of the very greatest Hollywood filmmakers. We are very proud to count him among us.”
“The memory of my first Cannes Film Festival, nearly 31 years ago with the debut of E.T., is still one of the most vibrant memories of my career, Spielberg goes on. For over six decades, Cannes has served as a platform for extraordinary films to be discovered and introduced to the world for the first time. It is an honor and a privilege to preside over the jury of a festival that proves, again and again, that cinema is the language of the world.”
