Home · Entertainment · Sep 23 archive
Rolf de Heer Named TIFF Jury President
Confirmed
In Short: Australian director Rolf de Heer has been named the president of the International Competition jury for the 39th Tokyo International Film Festival. The festival, known for its robust film culture, will showcase a diverse lineup of 15 films from around the world.
De Heer, who has been active in the film industry for over four decades, brings a wealth of experience and a distinctive perspective to the role. His film 'The Survival of Kindness,' which screened at the Berlin International Film Festival, will also be featured in an Australia Spotlight at TIFF.
The Tokyo Film Festival Director, Takeo Hisamatsu, expressed delight at de Heer's appointment, noting, 'Can life ever get much better than this?' The festival's Australia Spotlight, in cooperation with the Australian Embassy in Japan, will highlight Australian cinema, including de Heer's recent work.
De Heer's career is marked by a range of critically acclaimed films. His 1993 film 'Bad Boy Bubby' won the Special Jury Prize and the FIPRESCI Prize at the Venice International Film Festival. Four of his films have been selected for the Official Selection at Cannes, including 'Ten Canoes,' which won the Special Jury Prize in the Un Certain Regard section.
As the jury president, de Heer will help select the winners of the Tokyo Grand Prix, special jury prize, best director, actor, and actress, and artistic contribution. The festival's World Focus section will feature the Australia Spotlight, showcasing cinema from the country.
De Heer's appointment is a testament to his significant contributions to cinema. His distinctive approach to filmmaking and unwavering commitment to the craft will undoubtedly bring fresh dialogue and discoveries to this year’s Competition lineup.
The veteran director, known for films such as 'Dingo,' 'The Tracker,' and 'Charlie’s Country,' will lead the jury in evaluating the diverse selection of films. His director’s credits span a range of budgets and genres, and he has produced or co-produced 16 fiction films and five documentaries.
The full list of jury members and competition titles will be announced on October 1, with TIFFCOM, the festival’s industry market, taking place from October 19 to 23.
What this adds
The 39th Tokyo International Film Festival will feature a special showcase of Australian cinema, including de Heer's recent film 'The Survival of Kindness.
De Heer's appointment follows a tradition of prominent directors leading TIFF juries, such as Maggie Gyllenhaal at the Venice Film Festival.
Background
The 31st Busan International Film Festival has finalized its jury members for four award categories.
What's confirmed
- Tokyo International Film Festival (TIFF) has announced that Australian director Rolf de Heer will serve as president of the International Competition jury at this year’s edition of the festival.
- De Heer’s 2022 film The Survival Of Kindness, which was selected for competition at the Berlinale, will screen in Tokyo as part of an Australia Spotlight, a special showcase of Australian cinema presented in cooperation with the Australian Embassy in Japan.
- And not just any old 15 films, but the 15 films in Competition, drawn from films made all over the world by all sorts of extraordinary filmmakers!
- And to do this in a city that plays host to one of the most formidable film cultures in the world!
- Can life ever get much better than this?” Tokyo Festival Director Takeo Hisamatsu said: “We are delighted to welcome Rolf de Heer as President of the International Competition jury at the 39th Tokyo International Film Festival.
- With his distinctive perspective and unwavering commitment to filmmaking, de Heer has spent decades opening up new possibilities in cinema.
- For any of us attending the Tokyo International Film Festival, it is a privilege.
- The more films I manage to make, the fewer films I manage to see, especially on the big screen.
- But as a part of this jury, I have the duty, the obligation, to see at least 15 films and talk about them with other filmmakers!
What's still developing
- After graduating from AFTRS (the Australian Film, Television and Radio School) decades ago, Tasmania-based Rolf de Heer wrote/co-wrote 14 original and adapted screenplays that have been made into feature films, and probably more than 14 that haven’t.
- Based in Tasmania, Australia, Rolf de Heer has worked for more than 40 years as a film director, screenwriter and producer, taking on a wide range of subjects and forms of cinematic expression while training his gaze on humanity and society, earning widespread international acclaim.
- Born in the Netherlands, De Heer migrated to Sydney with his family aged eight and is now based in Tasmania.
- After early works including 1991’s Dingo, starring Colin Friels and jazz legend Miles Davis, his 1993 crime comedy-drama Bad Boy Bubby was selected for Venice, where it won the special jury prize and Fipresci prize.
- Career highlights include “Dingo” (1991), starring Colin Friels and jazz musician Miles Davis; “The Tracker” (2002), which began de Heer’s collaborations with Australian Aboriginal actor David Gulpilil; and “Charlie’s Country” (2013), for which Gulpilil won the best actor award at Cannes.
- Maggie Gyllenhaal led this year’s jury, which also gave the Best Actress prize to “Woman Unknown” star Mathilde Arcel, who plays a woman tenuously grasping at her social status as people in her orbit start to discover that she had sex with a Nazi.
- Earlier: The Venice Film Festival wraps up on the beachy strip of the Lido today, with the competition jurors, led by president Maggie Gyllenhaal, naming all the award winners this year.