Annette Bening to head the 74th Venice film festival jury
It was time to break with a long list of male presidents and invite a brilliant, talented and inspiring woman to chair our international competition jury... A sophisticated and instinctive actress, able to portray complex shadings of character, Annette Bening brings to her roles an understatement, a warmth and a natural elegance that makes watching her films a wonderful and ever-enriching experience. Alberto Barbera, Venice festival’s artistic director
US actress Annette Bening will preside the jury for this year’s Venice International Film Festival, organisers said Wednesday.
“It was time to break with a long list of male presidents and invite a brilliant, talented and inspiring woman to chair our international competition jury,” the prestigious festival’s artistic director, Alberto Barbera, said in a statement.
“I am extremely happy that Annette Bening has accepted this role, which she will carry out by virtue of her stature, her intellect and the talents she has manifested over the course of her career, in Hollywood, Europe and on the stage. Hers is a career marked by always interesting, often daring choices.
“A sophisticated and instinctive actress, able to portray complex shadings of character, Annette Bening brings to her roles an understatement, a warmth and a natural elegance that makes watching her fi lms a wonderful and ever- enriching experience. I welcome her to Venice,” enthused Barbera of the “American Beauty” star and two-time Golden Globe winner.
In a statement, Bening, who will be the fi rst woman to preside Venice since French actress Catherine Deneuve in 2006, said she was “honoured to be asked to serve as the president of the jury for this year’s event.
“I look forward to seeing the movies and working with my fellow jury members to celebrate the best of this year’s cinema from all over the world.”
Bening, 59, won her Globes in 2005 for “Adorable Julia” and in 2011 for “The Kids Are All Right” while she has received four Oscar nominations, including for best actress in 2000 for “American Beauty”.
Bening will award the Golden Lion for Best Film as well as the other main prizes at the 74th festival when it takes place this September.
Her predecessor presiding the Venice jury was British director Sam Mendes, who landed an Oscar for “American Beauty”.