U.S. director Greta Gerwig, who packed theatres this summer time with the pink-themed film phenomenon “Barbie”, was named as jury president for the 2024 Cannes Film Festival on Thursday. “This is an obvious choice, since Greta Gerwig so audaciously embodies the renewal of world cinema, for which Cannes is each year both the forerunner and the sounding board,” stated competition president Iris Knobloch and competition director Thierry Fremaux in a joint assertion.

Gerwig, 40, would be the first feminine U.S. director to function jury president, taking the baton from the top of the 2023 jury, “Triangle of Sadness” director and two-time Palme d’Or winner Ruben Ostlund of Sweden. She can be the youngest particular person to tackle the duty in practically six a long time, since Sophia Loren, aged 31, in 1966.

Gerwig stated in an announcement that she was “stunned and thrilled and humbled” to be chosen. She takes over after the movie trade was shaken up by twin summer time Hollywood strikes that scrambled movie and TV schedules, doubtlessly dimming among the competition’s glamour, and in addition raised questions on the usage of synthetic intelligence and the way streaming companies pay writers and actors for his or her work.

“Barbie”, starring Margot Robbie, set information as the largest opening of 2023 and the very best grossing of any film directed by a lady in historical past, eclipsing the April opening of “The Super Mario Bros. Movie”. And in an indication of its prospects this awards season, “Barbie” topped the listing of nominees for Hollywood’s Golden Globe awards with 9 nods this week. The 77th Cannes Film Festival takes place from May 14-25, with the official choice to be unveiled in mid-April.

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