Australian actor Cate Blanchett has been chosen to preside over the Jury at the 71st edition of the Cannes Film Festival, which takes place this coming May on the Côte d’Azur.
She will be only the 12th women in the festival’s long history to be recognised in this way, picking up the mantle from the likes of Jane Campion, Isabelle Huppert, Liv Ullmann and Sophia Loren. With so many acclaimed female directors returning with new works in 2018, we’re hoping for a more even spread in the main Competition than the festival has managed in previous years.
Get more Little White Lies
This week Blanchett joined over 300 women across the film industry in launching Time’s Up, a platform designed to provide legal support to those who have experienced sexual harassment, assault, or abuse in the workplace.
On her appointment as Jury President, Blanchett said: “I have been to Cannes in many guises over the years; as an actress, producer, in the marketplace, the Gala-sphere and in Competition. But never solely for the sheer pleasure of watching the cornucopia of films this great festival harbours. “This festival plays a pivotal role in bringing the world together to celebrate story; that strange and vital endeavour that all peoples share, understand and crave.”
Last year’s president, Pedro Almodóvar, awarded the Palme d’Or to The Square by Swedish director Ruben Östlund. Blanchett last attended Cannes in 2015 as the star of Todd Haynes’ Carol. She recently completed filming on Richard Linklater’s new film, Where’d You Go, Bernadette, which could well premiere at this year’s festival.
The 2018 Cannes Film Festival will take place from May 8 – 19. For more info visit festival-cannes.com
