De Niro to head jury
The International Jury of the 64th Cannes Film Festival (May 11-22, 2011) will be presided by US actor-director Robert De Niro, who follows in the footsteps of fellow American Tim Burton.
"It’s a unique opportunity for me, as it’s one of the best and oldest festivals in the world", commented De Niro. "As co-founder of the Tribeca and Doha festivals, I’ve developed a great respect for the juries who play a decisive role in picking out films of the highest quality.
“Festivals encourage connections within the international film community and have a lasting cultural impact. Having served as jury president twice in the 1980s, I know it won’t be an easy task for my fellow jury members and me, but I’m honoured and happy with the role entrusted to me by the Cannes Festival."
Gilles Jacob and Thierry Frémaux, respectively president and delegate deneral of the Cannes Film Festival, said: "Robert De Niro has been part of the history of the Cannes Festival since his first appearance with Taxi Driver, which won the Palme d’Or [in 1976].
“His name will forever be associated with that of Martin Scorsese, like Mastroianni was with Fellini. Endowed with a chameleon-like elasticity, he creates his characters without us knowing whether he adapts himself to the role or whether the role adapts to him. His accurate, nuanced and truer-than-life performances invite identification: he will always be a great mogul, Vito Corleone, Jack la Motta, Sam ‘Ace’ Rothstein…".
(Translated from French)
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