Iran dir. may preside over Cannes jury

Leading US entertainment publication Variety has announced that Iranian director Asghar Farhadi is predicted to preside over the jury of the upcoming edition of Cannes Film Festival in France.

Noting that the jury president has not yet been announced, Variety said, “We’re hearing that it could be Asghar Farhadi, the Oscar-winning Iranian director of ‘A Separation’ and ‘The Salesman’.”

Farhadi’s movies 'A Separation’ (2011) and ‘The Salesman’ (2016) won Oscars for best foreign-language film.

According to the industry magazine, “In theory, Farhadi sounds like a solid candidate to preside over the jury with his vast film culture and pedigree.”

Last month, the board of the Cannes Film Festival picked Iris Knobloch to become the first female president of the event.

Knobloch, the former boss of WarnerMedia France and Germany, will take up the role next July.

The 75th edition of Cannes Film Festival will take place on May 17-28. 

SQ/AG