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Posted on Monday, 4 February 2008 |
The Cannes Film Festival has begun the countdown to the most prestigious film event in Europe by announcing actor Sean Penn as President of the Jury for the 61st annual Festival de Cannes.
"It seems there has been a rejuvenation of cinema building worldwide; increasingly thoughtful, provocative, moving, and imaginative films by talented filmmakers: that a new generation of filmmaking may have begun."
"The Cannes Film Festival has long been the epicentre in the discovery of those new waves of filmmakers from all over the world. I very much look forward to participating in this year's festival as president of the jury," Penn said at the press conference announcing his appointment.
Previous presidents of the feature films jury include director Stephen Frears in 2007, director Wong Kar Wai in 2006 and Quentin Tarantino among others. An actor has not been elected to the role since Liv Ullman in 2001 seven years ago. Although, like Penn, Ullman laterly concentrated on her directorial and scriptwriting roles in addition to her acting.
Sean Penn began his acting career in 1974 in an episode of The Little House on the Prairie at the tender age of 14. Since then his rise has been steady and certain rather than meteoric with considered and studious choices in movie roles and an aversion for the full on Hollywood lifestyle.
He gained celebrity notoriety by becoming the first Mr Madonna when he wed the high profile pop star in 1984 but refuses to be drawn on the subject of his ex wife maintaining that 'they both acted as badly as each other' and so there is no need for finger pointing.
Penn's most famous movie roles include The Falcon and the Snowman, Carlito's Way, Dead Man Walking, I am Sam, Mystic River and 21 Grams to name just a few of the movies that he has starred in. He has won a best actor Oscar for Mystic River, been nominated for more than 35 awards and won 30 more in different categories and events.
Sean Penn has added writer, producer and director to his accomplishments aswell as earning critical acclaim for his work he has become known as a humanitarian, social conscientious and serious campaigner on several issues. He is straight talking and takes a hard line on the things he believes in including his own government and country.
"I was brought up in a country that relished fear-based religion, corrupt government and an entire white population living on stolen property that they murdered for and that is passed on from generation to generation" -Penn.
He stands firm on his principles and is quick to act. In the immediate aftermath of hurricane Katriona, Penn launched his own recue mission and took a launch to help with the rescue operations. An act that has received criticism as much as praise with many people questioning celebrities using their celebrity status in a political context.
"I don't consider myself specifically political, you know? I think of working as an actor as being a human thing. The concerns I have that fall into politics are human concerns"-Penn.
The 61st Cannes Film Festival runs from the 14th to the 25th May 2008.
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