It is a great operation that the Cannes Festival – through the tandem formed by its general delegate, Thierry Frémaux, and its president, Iris Knobloch – has just carried out, by inviting the successful actress and director Greta Gerwig to direct its official jury during the 77e edition of the event, which will be held from May 14 to 25, 2024.
The future president herself seems quite happy about it, if we are to believe this prelude to the ceremonial tirades put forward by the festival’s press service: “As a film buff, Cannes has always been for me the pinnacle of what the universal language of films can represent. Putting myself in a state of vulnerability, sitting inside a dark room full of strangers to watch a new film, is my favorite thing. I am overwhelmed, enthusiastic and humbled to become president of the jury of the Cannes Film Festival. I can’t wait to see what trips await us! »
Born in Sacramento (California) forty years ago, this filmmaker distinguished herself, something quite rare, even exceptional, in the entire range of the American seventh art, passing from the status of screenwriter and actress to director, holding firm on this yet uncertain course. which links the confidentiality of the New York independent scene to the pinnacle of the Hollywood film with strong commercial potential.
A Californian living in New York, where she aspires to be a dancer and then a playwright, she found a place in 2006 both behind and on screen, in this very confidential aesthetic movement nicknamed “mumblecore” (the mumbling school). She co-writes, co-directs and co-performs with Joe Swanberg Nights and Weekends in 2008.
Three-band shot
But it is alongside director Noah Baumbach that she conquers a real aura with Greenberg (2010) then with Frances Ha (2012), which she co-wrote with the latter, who has since become her companion. This springboard allowed her first to gain a foothold in the Hollywood industry as an actress, then to establish herself as a director, with Lady Bird in 2017 and Doctor March’s Daughters in 2019 – both nominated for Oscars in the best film and best screenplay categories (she will also be nominated in the best director category for the first).
So many steps carried out with inspiration and talent, which allow her to get in tune with a booming feminist wave. So much so that Warner entrusted him with the keys to the blockbuster barbieco-written again with Noah Baumbach, which became a global success in 2023, bringing in 1.5 billion dollars (1.38 billion euros) in revenue.
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