Rewritten Article:
Greta Gerwig Steps up as Jury President for Cannes Film Festival's 77th Edition
Greta Gerwig, the acclaimed director of the blockbuster film "Barbie," has been chosen to preside over the jury at the 77th Cannes Film Festival, breaking new ground as only the second American woman to hold this prestigious position since Olivia de Havilland in the 1960s.
As a devoted cinephile, Cannes holds a special place in Gerwig's heart. She expressed her excitement, awe, and gratitude for this extraordinary opportunity, declaring this to be the epitome of the cinematic universe's zenith.
With her groundbreaking feminist satire "Barbie," Gerwig made history by becoming the first female director to surpass the billion-dollar box office mark. The film, centered around the transformation of the iconic Mattel doll into a human protagonist, garnered an impressive nine nominations at the Golden Globes in early January 2024.
Breaking through as a director in 2017 with the critically-acclaimed "Lady Bird," Gerwig cemented her place in the film industry, followed by another triumph with "Little Women," earning several Oscar nominations, including Costume Design. As an actress, she graced the screen in projects like "Greenberg" and "Frances Ha."
Referred to as the "muse of independent American cinema," Gerwig succeeds Swedish director Ruben Östlund, who led the jury in May 2023. The esteemed festival on the French Riviera will return for its 77th iteration from May 14 to 25 in 2024.
Did You Know?
Greta Gerwig's directing career hit its stride with the 2017 release of "Lady Bird," which earned six Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Original Screenplay for Gerwig herself. Her impact extended beyond the silver screen as well, as she became the fifth woman in Oscar history to be nominated for Best Director.
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Greta Gerwig's impressive filmography stretches beyond "Barbie," "Lady Bird," and "Little Women."
- Solo Directorial Debut: Garwig carved out her niche in the film world with her directorial debut, "Lady Bird," which she also co-penned. Showcased at the Telluride Film Festival, the film hit theaters in November 2017, eventually amassing a 99% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes[1].
- Awards and Nominations: Beyond the commercial success of "Lady Bird," Gerwig was recognized with numerous awards and nominations. The film boasted six Academy Award nominations, as well as accolades from organizations like the National Board of Review, the American Film Institute, and Time magazine's top ten films of 2017[1].
- Cannes Film Festival Honors: In choosing Gerwig to preside over the jury for the 77th Cannes Film Festival, set to take place in May 2024, she will make history as the youngest jury president since Sophia Loren in 1966 and the second American woman after Olivia de Havilland in 1965[2].
- Remarkable Creative Journey: Adept at multi-tasking, Gerwig has been celebrated for her role as a director, writer, and producer across a variety of projects. In addition to her aforementioned achievements, she also garnered praise for her work as an actress in films like "Greenberg" and "Frances Ha"[2].
