Del Toro, director of the dark fantasy "Pan's Labyrinth", had
his first film "Chronos" screened in Cannes. He will sit on a
jury headed by the filmmaking brothers Joel and Ethan Coen for
the festival, which opens on the French Riviera on Wednesday.
"It feels like a responsibility that I take very seriously,
because Cannes started my life filmically when 'Chronos' won the
Critics Week," del Toro told reporters.
Canadian wunderkind Xavier Dolan, whose film "Mommy" scooped the
Jury Prize at last year's festival, said that he was honored to
be chosen as a judge at the tender age of 26 -- and it would
help for his next project.
"It feels great. It's the other side of the mirror which is
extremely exciting," Dolan said.
"And I didn't think it would come as early on in my life, so
it's very inspiring, we'll see. I can't think of a better
preparation for the movie I'm about to embark on, to see like 25
films."
Actor Jake Gyllenhaal, who starred in the 2014 film "Nightcrawler",
brings a touch of Hollywood to his place on the jury, alongside
British actress Sienna Miller, French actress Sophie Marceau and
Malian actress Rokia Traore.
Spanish cinema star Rossy de Palma expressed the great honor and
excitement she felt at being on this year's panel.
"I'm very honored, really very honored. Such a pleasure, I'm so
happy, it's like a dream," she said.
The festival will open for the first time with a woman
director's film, "La Tete Haute" by Emmanuelle Bercot and
starring French actress Catherine Deneuve. Hollywood is pitching
in by holding the world premiere for "Mad Max: Fury Road" on
Thursday.
(Writing by Michael Roddy; Editing by Hugh Lawson)
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