Members of the Jury BIOGRAPHIES

Martina Gusman.-Studied Applied Artsat the University of Buenos Aires and took acting courses with Carlos Gandolfo. In 2002, with Pablo Trapero, she created Matanza Cine, a production company where she has been the executive producer for some twelve films. Martina Gusman acted in three films by Pablo Trapero: “Born and Bred” (Nacido y Criado), in 2006, “Lion’s Den” (Leonera), in Competition at the Festival de Cannes in 2008, and “Carancho,” presented at Une Certain Regard in 2010.

Nansun Shi.–Was born in Hong Kong and studied in Great Britain before going to work for the legendary studio Cinema City. In 1984, she and her husband Tsui Hark founded their own production company, Film Workshop Co. Ltd., which produced many successful films. Notably, she was the producer of “Infernal Affairs” for whichMartinScorsese shot a remake, “The Departed.”

Uma Thurman.- Grew up in the United States. Noticed by two New York impresarios, she studied acting at the Professional Children’s School. After her debut role in1988 in “Johnny, be  Good,” she made her name with two international successes the same year:TerryGilliam’s “The Adventures of Baron Munchausen,” andStephenFrears’ “Dangerous Liaisons.” Since then, she has worked withPhilipKaufman,PhilJoanou,GusVan Sant,JohnBoorman,AndrewNichol, andWoodyAllen. “ In Mad Dog and Glory,” presented in Cannes in 1993, she played oppositeRobertDe Niro. It was with directorQuentinTarantino that she took on her most famous roles, in “Pulp Fiction,” which won thePalme d’Or in 1994, and then, ten years later, as the heroine in “Kill Bill 1 &2.”

 Linn Ullmann.- Is a writer. After her studies in literature in the United States, she became a literary critic for a major Norwegian daily newspaper. She has won numerous literary prizes for her books: her first, “Before You Sleep” came out in 1999, followed in 2001 by Stella Descending and then byGrace in 2002. Her latest novel, “A Blessed Child” (2005) has met with unprecedented critical acclaim.LinnUllmannis the daughter ofLivUllmannandIngmarBergman. She came to the Festivalde Cannesin 1997 to receive the “PalmedesPalmes” on behalf of her father,IngmarBergman, at the du 50th Anniversary Ceremony.

Olivier Assayas.-Studied at the ENSBA school of fine arts inParis, pursuing his passion for literature, painting and film. During the 1980s, he wrote for the Cahiers du Cinéma and co-authored scripts withAndréTéchiné for “Scene of the Crime” (Le lieu du crime) and “Rendez-vous” before making his first film in 1986, “Disorder” (Désordre). Since then, he has made more than fifteen films, including “Cold Water” (L’eau froide), “IrmaVep,” “Sentimental Destinies” (Les destinées sentimentales), “Demonlover,”  “Clean” and “Boarding Gate,” which were presented at the Festival de Cannes. In 2010, he presented“Carlos”Out of Competition in Cannes.

 Mahamat Saleh Haroun.–Was born in Abéché in Chad. In 1980, the war forced him to flee toFrance as a refugee, where he studied film and worked as a journalist. In 1994, he made his first film and went on to receive a prize at the Venice festival for “Bye Bye Africa,” his second feature film. His reputation as an auteur was sealed with “Daratt,” which won a jury prize in Venice. In competition at the Festival de Cannes in 2010, he received the Jury Prize for “A Screaming Man.”

 Jude Law.- Started his career in theatre before turning to film. He was noticed in “Gattaca” in 1997, and a series of hits ensued, in which he demonstrated his elegant acting in every film genre. He has worked with the great names in film: Steven Spielberg, David Cronenberg, Clint Eastwood, Sam Mendes, Wong Kar Wai and three times with Anthony Minghella, for whom he played in “The Talented Mr. Ripley.” In 2009, he returned to the stage in London to play Hamlet.

 Johnnie To.- Was born in Hong Kong. He began working in television, before shooting his first feature film, The Enigmatic Case. He continued with martial arts films, comedies, and historical films. It was “Breaking News,” selected at the Festival de Cannes in 2004, that made his name with international audiences. He returned to the Croisette with “Election”  and  “Election2” (2005-2006), followed by “Triangle” (2007) and “Vengeance” (2009).

 The jury of the Festival de Cannes will adjudicate between the 19 films in competition before naming the winners of the seven awards, to be presented during the Closing Ceremony, and which will culminate in the announcement of the Palme d’Or.