Spike Lee Becomes First Black Person To Lead Cannes Film Festival Jury
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Celebrated director Spike Lee just made history as he will be the first black person to lead the Cannes film festival’s jury.
Lee will be the first black person in the festival’s 73-history to serve as jury president, which means he will decide which and films will receive an award.
“In this life I have lived, my biggest blessings have been when they arrived unexpected, when they happened out of nowhere,” Lee said in a statement. “When I got the call that I was offered the opportunity to be President of Cannes Jury for 2020, I was shocked, happy, surprised and proud all at the same time.”
The Cannes film festival’s official statement said that Lee had “brought the questions and contentious issues of the times to contemporary cinema.
“Spike Lee’s perspective is more valuable than ever. Cannes is a natural homeland and a global sounding board for those who (re)awaken minds and question our stances and fixed ideas,” it read.
“Lee’s flamboyant personality is sure to shake things up. What kind of president of the jury will he be? Find out in Cannes!”
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