During a press conference for the 76th Cannes Film Festival, the jury gave their viewpoints on various film-related subject matter. This year’s jury includes film festival president Ruben Östlund, actress Brie Larson, and actor Paul Dano.
Östlund and Dano have voiced their support for the WGA strikes and their demands. Dano, a member of the WGA, has stated that he will join his wife, also a WGA member, at the picket lines as soon as his jury duty is complete. When asked about his perspective, Östlund states that he is happy that there are those who “have a strong collegial feeling so people can go out and have a strike” and that he is pro-strike.
First-time Cannes jury member Larson was also asked if she would be comfortable viewing the new Johnny Depp film Jeanne du Barry’s out-of-competition screening. She admits she has no clear answer for this scenario and says, “I don’t know how I’ll feel about it if I do [see it].” Larson has been an outspoken advocate against sexual abuse and was a former member of the Time’s Up advisory board. This non-profit organization provides support for sexual abuse victims. Since Depp has been under scrutiny after Amber Heard accused him of alleged abuse, whether or not Larson will go out and support the film will depend on her views of these allegations and Depp himself.
When asked about the importance of the Cannes Film Festival, many jury members voiced their opinions on international cinema and diversity. Dano spoke about his excitement when he discovered world cinema as he became more interested “in the making of films and not just acting.” Östlund discussed how he wanted to focus more on an open conversation for the jury instead of being overly intellectual. “We don’t have to be smart,” he said, “we just have to follow our first instinct when we have to want to say something.” Also, Östlund wants to avoid going into a consensus, meaning that everyone can give their opinions without feeling pressured to vote unanimously.
Östlund promises that the jury will not openly discuss their feelings regarding the festival entries, preventing any predictions about possible frontrunners.
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