The Un Certain Regard section of the Cannes Film Festival will once again witness the Canadian filmmaker Xavier Dolan on the jury, and this time, he is head of the jury. Dolan is a renowned filmmaker and has won the Jury Prize at Cannes with Mommy in 2014, and the Grand Prix trophy for It’s Only the End of the World in 2016. Dalon himself, being the master of the field, has a perfect eye for judging the works of talented filmmakers. And his return will certainly bestow the section with more exciting results.
Xavier Dolan returns as jury in Cannes
Xavier Dolan is all set to provide his judgment at the Cannes 2024, as he will head the jury of Un Certain Regard at the Cannes Film Festival. Dolan is more than thrilled to be a part of the jury. The director said in a statement, “I am humbled and delighted to return to Cannes as president of the Un Certain Regard Jury. Even more than making films myself, discovering the work of talented filmmakers has always been at the very heart of both my personal and professional journeys. I see, in this responsibility I’m assigned, the opportunity to focus with the members of the Un Certain Regard Jury on an essential aspect of the art of film — stories told truthfully.”
Un Certain Regard is a section of the Cannes Film Festival that presents 20 films with unusual styles and non-traditional stories seeking international recognition.
Dolan dived into a cinematic career at a very young age. He was 19 years old when he wrote, directed, produced, and starred in his first feature, “I Killed My Mother.” He made his first entry in the Un Certain Regard sidebar with his second film, Heartbeats, in 2010, when he was 21. Following that, his film Laurence Anyways earned the section prize for best actress for Suzanne Clement. Dolan went on to make “It’s Only the End of the World,” which won the Cannes Grand Pix, followed by “The Death and Life of John F. Donovan” and “Matthias & Maxime,” which played in competition in 2019.
Xavier Dolan, President of the Un Certain Regard Jury at #Cannes2024! ⭐
Jury Prize in 2014 (Mommy) and Grand Prix in 2016 (It’s Only the End of the World), the filmmaker will celebrate the thirst for discovery and passion for others’ talent.
► https://t.co/UeEIXvBDiX pic.twitter.com/OV1yFk7vNI
— Festival de Cannes (@Festival_Cannes) February 29, 2024
He is indeed a veteran of the Cannes event. However, not every time, things were favorable for him. His 2016 thriller/drama film It’s Only the End of the World was Savagely jeered at a Cannes press screening, prompting Dolan to accuse the festival of encouraging trolling and bullying. Despite all such troubles, he retained his position back and now will soon be seen as the jury head at Cannes.
This isn’t the first time Dolan will be a jury member. He was a part of the jury chaired by the Coen brothers at the 68th Cannes Festival.
The Cannes main competition jury will be headed by Greta Gerwig. The 77th Cannes Film Festival runs May 14-25. The official selection will be announced on April 11.
