Last week, it was announced that Lebanese filmmaker Nadine Labaki would be assuming the role of jury at the forthcoming edition of the Cannes Film Festival. The Capernaum director, who was once a laureate at the prestigious gathering herself, will be one of the very few representatives of the region at the world-renowned event bringing her wealth of experience to review the works of shortlisted creatives from around the globe.
Mainly overlooking who will be the next recipient of the prestigious Palme d’Or, the festival’s highest award, Labaki won’t be the only public persona from our neck of the woods taking a seat at Cannes’ jury panel. She will be joined by Moroccan director Asmae El Moudir, who will be tasked with the overview of another category, dubbed Un Certain Regard, which prizes original storylines, promotes artistically daring features, and spotlights up-and-coming talents.
With Xavier Dolan at the helm of this year’s festival subsection, El Moudir, alongside French-Senegalese filmmaker Maïmouna Doucouré, German-Luxembourgish actress Vicky Krieps, and American film critic Todd McCarthy, will carefully go through a carefully curated selection of films, keeping an eye out for those with a sharp focus on innovation and creativity, a cornerstone emphasized by festival organizers. Eight of the 18 feature films vying for honors will debut on Cannes’ stage, with notable entries including Laetitia Dosch’s Le Procès du Chien, Konstantin Bojanov’s The Shameless, and September Says by Ariane Labed.
As the countdown to the 77th Cannes Film Festival kicks off—slated from May 17 to 25—cinephiles worldwide anticipate another unforgettable cinematic experience. With a notable surge in Arab representation — whether they’re stealing the spotlight on stage or offering their discerning eye behind the jury table— the French Riviera might indeed be the place to be for a truly inclusive and culturally enriching celebration of motion picture.
