French cinematic luminary Juliette Binoche has been appointed as the prestigious president of the international jury for the 2025 Cannes Film Festival. She assumes this esteemed role from Greta Gerwig, the visionary director behind "Barbie," and will guide the panel of film experts in selecting the recipient of this year's prestigious Palme d'Or award.
Binoche's Cannes journey began exactly four decades ago, with the premiere of André Téchiné's "Rendez-vous" in 1985. This groundbreaking film marked her debut as a leading lady and propelled her to stardom. Reflecting on her illustrious career, she has famously stated, "I was born at the Festival de Cannes."
Since then, Binoche has become a Cannes staple, gracing the Croisette with performances in films by some of the most renowned directors in international cinema. From Michael Haneke's ("Code Unknown," "Caché"), David Cronenberg's ("Cosmopolis"), Krzysztof Kieślowski's ("Three Colors: Red"), Olivier Assayas's ("Clouds of Sils Maria"), Claire Denis's ("Let the Sunshine In"), to Anh Hung Tran's ("The Taste of Things"), she has consistently showcased her exceptional talent. In 2010, she garnered the Best Actress honor at Cannes for her portrayal of an antiques dealer in Abbas Kiarostami's "Certified Copy."
In a heartfelt statement, Binoche expressed, "In 1985, I ascended those steps with the boundless enthusiasm and inherent uncertainty of a fledgling actress. It never crossed my mind that I would return four decades later, honored to serve as the President of the Jury. I cherish this privilege, recognize the immense responsibility, and am acutely aware of the absolute necessity for humility."
Beyond her Cannes triumphs, Binoche holds a unique distinction as the only actress to have claimed the Best Actress award at all three preeminent European film festivals – Cannes, Venice, and Berlin. She won Venice's Volpi Cup in 1994 for her role in Kieślowski's "Three Colors: Blue" and the Berlin Silver Bear for her portrayal of a World War II nurse in Anthony Minghella's "The English Patient," a role that also earned her BAFTA and Oscar nominations for Best Supporting Actress.
More recently, Binoche has delved into television, portraying Coco Chanel in Todd A. Kessler's AppleTV+ series "The New Look," and reuniting with her "The English Patient" co-star Ralph Fiennes in Uberto Pasolini's gritty adaptation of Homer's "The Odyssey," titled "The Return." Last year, she succeeded Polish director Agnieszka Holland as the president of the European Film Academy.
The 78th Cannes International Film Festival is set to unfold from May 13 to 24, 2025, with Binoche at its helm, guiding the festival towards another memorable edition.
