Meryl Streep to head 2016 Berlinale jury
October 15, 2015
She "is one of the most creative and multifaceted film artists," boasted Berlinale director Dieter Kosslick on Wednesday (14.10.) as he announced Meryl Streep's new role as jury chairwoman. "I'm very glad that she'll be coming back to Berlin to chair the international jury with her wealth of artistic experience."
The 66-year-old actress follows in the footsteps of US director Darren Aronofsky, who headed the jury this year.
Streep, a three-time Oscar winner, is no stranger to the Berlinale. In 1999, she was honored with the Berlinale Kamera, an out-of-competition prize for outstanding work. In 2003, she received the Silver Bear for Best Actress, together with Julianne Moore and Nicole Kidman, for her performance in "The Hours." And she was also honored for her life's work at the 2012 Berlinale.
One of the most decorated actors in the world, Streep has played in more than 40 feature films and worked together with Hollywood legends like Clint Eastwood, Woody Allan and Robert Redford.
Streep's latest film, "Sufragette," focuses on the early days of the British women's suffrage movement, but her international breakthrough came in the late 1970s with the TV series "Holocaust" and Vietnam war veteran movie "The Deer Hunter." "The Bridges of Madison County" (1995), "The Devil Wears Prada" (2006) and "The Iron Lady" (2011) are in her long list of cinematic highlights. According to Forbes Magazine, she's one of the highest-paid actresses in Hollywood.
"It is a thrill to return to the festival under any circumstances, but it is with great relish and anticipation I look forward to jury duty," said Streep Wednesday in a statement, adding that she was "daunted" by the task of heading the jury, but "grateful for the honor."
The Berlinale will take place from February 11-21, 2016 in Berlin.
kbm/rf (AFP, dpa)