Press conference of the Jury of the 71st Festival de Cannes
Press conference of the Feature Films Jury
The complete Jury of the 71st Festival de Cannes, led by Cate Blanchett and including Léa Seydoux, Andrey Zvyagintsev, Denis Villeneuve, Khadja Nin, Kristen Stewart, Chang Chen, Ava Duvernay and Robert Guédiguian appeared before the press on Tuesday afternoon, a few hours before the Opening Ceremony. Here is a selection of their comments to journalists.
Cate Blanchett, on the Palme d’or:
The Palme d'or is, by its very definition, a prize that must reward the film as a whole, from the actors to the director. A film that needs to remain in the audience's minds, beyond the festival itself. But there are many ways of enjoying a film. I think that it’s important to try and see and understand what the directors were trying to convey. Everyone will be judged on equal terms.
Cate Blanchett, on the inclusion of female directors In Competition:
Would I like to see more women in competition? Absolutely. A few years ago, there were only two. This year there are three and this will continue to change. But we will watch the films as a work, not based on the director’s nationality or gender.
Denis Villeneuve, on the Me Too movement:
I am always depressed to see how people judge time. The Me Too movement is huge and it will take time for things to change.
Khadja Nin, on the Jury:
We are a jury of resistance fighters, a jury of activists.
Robert Guédiguian, on the definition of a good film:
The ideal would be to find a film that strikes a delicate balance between emotions and intelligence. The kind of film that goes straight to the heart. As Mao Tse-tung said: “Art must keep one step ahead of the people, but only one step ahead”.
Léa Seydoux, on choosing the Palme d'or:
For me, the Palme d'or would be a film that manages to create a new language. I can’t wait to discover these films, but emotion will win through.
Kristen Stewart, on the Palme d’or:
To win a Palme d'or, the film must fundamentally move you. It has to stay with you forever and touch your senses.
Andrey Zvyagintsev, on the same subject:
For me, the work has to go right to the heart. The Palme d'or needs to be a film that is an artistic event in itself.
Chang Chen, on the Asian films In Competition:
I have a completely open mind. I am going to watch all of the films from the different countries and regions of Asia and try to explain our values to the other members of the Jury.
Ava Duvernay, on the role of cinema:
Cinema is a way of making your voice heard. Films help us to understand the facts. People talk to each other and understand each other through its language.
