Mad Max director George Miller to chair Cannes jury

George Miller directing Tom Hardy in Mad Max: Fury Road, which premiered out of competition at Cannes last year. Photo: © Warner Bros
George Miller directing Tom Hardy in Mad Max: Fury Road, which premiered out of competition at Cannes last year. Photo: © Warner Bros

They might not seem to be the most natural bedfellows, but the director of one of 2015’s biggest, noisiest blockbusters, Mad Max: Fury Road has been chosen to preside over the jury at the most prestigious and – dare I say it – high brow festivals on the film calendar.

George Miller, the Australian writer, director and producer, whose somewhat varied works range from Mel Gibson’s original Mad Max in 1979 to the character’s most recent incarnation, via The Witches of Eastwick, Lorenzo’s Oil, Babe and Happy Feet, will be in charge of the jury that decides which film will be awarded the Palme d’Or.

On being invited to lead the festival’s main jury, Miller exclaimed, “What an unmitigated delight! To be there in the middle of this storied festival at the unveiling of cinematic treasures from all over the planet. To spend time in passionate discourse with fellow members of the jury. Such an honor. I’ll be there with bells on!”

The festival says that with the 70 year old having won international acclaim for his spectacular and jubilant creations, as well as for his eclecticism, inventiveness and sheer audacity, his nomination marks a no-holds barred celebration of genre cinema. Its statement concludes that above all, “the 2016 Festival de Cannes is all set to welcome a big-hearted film lover and a great human being.”