Berlin (AFP)
Oscar-winning British actor Jeremy Irons will chair the jury for the Berlin International Film Festival, which celebrates its 70th anniversary this year, its organizers announced on Thursday.
"The iconic characters interpreted by Jeremy Irons and his style recognizable among all (...) accompanied me throughout my cinematographic journey", declared in a press release the artistic director of the festival Carlo Chatrian, who co-directs with Mariette Rissenbeek her first Berlinale.
The 71-year-old actor said he was "honored" and "very happy" to take on the role of president of the jury.
After making his debut in the theater, he who personifies the elegance of the British gentleman made himself known in the cinema with the film "The mistress of the French lieutenant" in 1981.
He quickly joined the elite of actors, being as convincing in major Hollywood productions as in author films. He gained worldwide notoriety with "Faux semblants" by David Cronenberg in 1988.
In 1991, he received the Oscar for best actor for his role in "Le Mystère von Bülow" by Barbet Schroeder.
While continuing his career as an actor, he has invested in recent years in defense of the environment until pleading before the European Commission, with his documentary "Trashed", which denounces overconsumption and the management of waste.
Jeremy Irons participated in the Berlinale in 2013 with the film "A night train for Lisbon". He is currently on television screens in the HBO American-British comic book series "Watchmen".
The Berlin International Film Festival takes place from February 20 to March 1.
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