Xavier Dolan Leading Un Certain Regard Jury at Cannes 2024
Canadian auteur Xavier Dolan will preside over the Un Certain Regard jury at the 77th Cannes Film Festival this May, bringing his considerable artistic vision and festival experience to the prestigious sidebar competition.
A Distinguished Panel
Dolan, whose deeply personal films have repeatedly triumphed at Cannes, will be joined by an eclectic group of cinema luminaries:
- Maïmouna Doucouré: The French-Senegalese filmmaker whose controversial debut “Cuties” sparked intense conversation about the portrayal of young girls in media
- Asmae El Moudir: The Moroccan director whose documentary “The Mother of All Lies” has garnered critical acclaim for its innovative approach to family history and national memory
- Vicky Krieps: The Luxembourgish actress who delivered a breakthrough performance opposite Daniel Day-Lewis in Paul Thomas Anderson’s “Phantom Thread”
- Todd McCarthy: The veteran American film critic whose authoritative voice has shaped cinematic discourse for decades
Dolan’s Cannes Journey
“I am humbled and delighted to return to Cannes as President of the Un Certain Regard Jury,” Dolan remarked in a statement. “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.”
The 35-year-old filmmaker’s relationship with Cannes began remarkably early. After his debut feature “I Killed My Mother” — which he wrote, directed, produced and starred in at age 19 — Dolan’s sophomore effort “Heartbeats” screened in Un Certain Regard when he was just 21. His third film, “Laurence Anyways,” also played in the same section, where Suzanne Clement shared the Best Actress award.
Dolan’s meteoric rise continued with “Mommy” (2014), which earned the Jury Prize in the main competition. He later served on the main competition jury led by the Coen brothers at the 68th Cannes Festival, before returning to win the Grand Prix for “It’s Only the End of the World.”
His subsequent works, “The Death and Life of John F. Donovan” and “Matthias & Maxime,” further cemented his status as one of the most distinctive voices in contemporary cinema, with the latter competing for the Palme d’Or in 2019.
Looking Ahead
While the Cannes main competition jury will be headed by “Barbie” director Greta Gerwig, Dolan’s panel will assess the diverse and often groundbreaking films in Un Certain Regard, a showcase designed to spotlight unique perspectives and innovative storytelling approaches.
The 77th Cannes Film Festival runs from 14-25 May.
Editor in Chief of Ikon London Magazine, journalist, film producer and founder of The DAFTA Film Awards (The DAFTAs).
