President Isabelle Huppert and jury members Asia Argento, Shu Qi, Sharmila Tagore, Robin Wright Penn, Nuri Bilge Ceylan, James Gray, Hanif Kureishi and Lee Changdong were introduced to the journos and the regular set of questions on how they would vote were thrown upon them. Trying to figure out what one jury member will vote on is hard enough, trying to figure out a consensus is just as difficult, though Huppert did mention that unlike Sean Penn (who was keen on voting for a political film), she won’t be pushing the rest of the jury to vote one way or another. Nonetheless, this year’s pack mostly comprised of actresses with a trio of male directors will most likely go for a film that stands out – that may or may not have something to say but is stands apart because of it being socially relevant. The Cannes site has a good amount of info on the elected jurors, below you’ll find some pics I took of the jurors and how they might go about voting.
Isabelle Huppert: Head Juror. She has played in some difficult roles and worked with Haneke, for which she won for The Piano Teacher.
Secret Sunshine director likes strong female characters and long narratives.
Master Turkish filmmaker Nuri Bilge Ceylan makes engrossing dramas and favors long takes.
Asia Argento is a free spirit and might like the wilder items while Shu Qi often plays a muse/eye candy.
James Gray like atmospherics and textures, Robin Wright Penn likes taking on penetrating characters.