The 77th Cannes Film Festival kicked off tonight with the opening film by Quentin Dupieux, “Mandibles.” Beforehand, this year’s jury, led by Spike Lee and director Greta Gerwig, participated in the yearly jury press conference.
Joining Gerwig on the jury are US actress Lily Gladstone, who became the first Native American to be Oscar nominated for Best Actress for her performance in “Certain Women”; Japanese director and Palme d’Or winner Hirokazu Kore-eda, whose film “Shoplifters” was screened in Competition last year in Cannes and won Best Screenplay; French actress Eva Green (“Casino Royale”); French actor and producer Omar Sy, who wowed us in the Berlinale premiering film “The Intouchables”; Lebanese director and screenwriter Nadine Labaki, whose film “Capernaum” won the Cannes jury prize in 2018; Spanish director and screenwriter J.A. Bayona, who recently directed “Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom”; Italian actor Pierfrancisco Favino, who starred in last year’s “The Traitor,” the opening film of the Venice Film Festival; and Turkish screenwriter and photographer Ebru Ceylan, the wife and long-time collaborator of Nuri Bilge Ceylan (2014 Palme d’Or winner for “Winter Sleep”).
Asked about various issues that surround the festival this year – from the pending French #MeToo report which may derail the festival and the ongoing war in Gaza – here’s everything you need to know about the press conference in key quotes.
On being on the jury…
“It’s an honor to be here. I’m so excited to see all the films and to be a part of this conversation about cinema.” – Greta Gerwig
“I’m very proud to be a part of this jury. I think it’s a great opportunity to learn about different cultures and different ways of making films.” – Omar Sy
On the #MeToo movement…
“I think it’s important to have these conversations. We need to create a safe space for women to come forward and share their stories.” – Greta Gerwig
“I’m hopeful that the #MeToo movement will lead to real change in the film industry.” – Eva Green
On the lack of female filmmakers in Competition…
“I think it’s important to have more women represented in the film industry, both in front of and behind the camera.” – Greta Gerwig
“We need to create more opportunities for women to make films.” – Lily Gladstone
On the war in Gaza…
“I think it’s important to remember that there are people suffering in the world. We need to use our voices to speak out against injustice.” – Pierfrancesco Favino
“I hope that the Cannes Film Festival can be a platform for peace and understanding.” – J.A. Bayona
On the possibility of a film about Donald Trump being screened at the festival…
“I think it’s important to have a diversity of voices represented at the festival, including films that challenge the status quo.” – Greta Gerwig
“I’m not sure if I could be completely objective about a film about Donald Trump, but I think it’s important to have these conversations.” – Juan Antonio Bayona
