Meet the 2017 Berlinale jury
These seven people will be selecting the Golden and Silver Bear winners at the 67th Berlin International Film Festival.
Filmmaker Paul Verhoeven
The Dutch director has worked in Hollywood and Europe. Among his best known films are "Basic Instinct," "Robocop" and "Total Recall," but he also made an acclaimed comeback in 2016 with the award-winning film "Elle," starring Isabelle Huppert. Verhoeven will head the Berlinale jury, accompanied by six other members who were revealed on Tuesday.
Actress Julia Jentsch
Her performance in the film "Sophie Scholl - The Final Days" already won her a Silver Bear for best actress in 2005, along with several other prestigious awards. The 38-year-old German actress was also part of last year's competition, as she starred in the drama "24 Weeks."
Artist Olafur Eliasson
The Danish-Icelandic artist has held a studio in Berlin since the mid-1990s. He is renowned for his massive installations integrating elemental materials such as light and water, but he's also launched a social company that produces cheap solar lamps (pictured) for developing countries, called Little Sun. In the jury, the artist's perspective might shed light on unconventional films.
Producer Dora Bouchoucha Fourati
The Tunisian producer was behind the film "Hedi," which won various awards at last year's Berlin festival, among which best first feature. Responsible for a long list of feature and documentary productions, Bouchoucha Fourati is an icon among a new generation of producers in North Africa. She has also been involved in different film festivals throughout the world.
Actor, producer and director Diego Luna
Star Wars fans will recognize the Mexican actor as Captain Cassian Andor in the 2016 spin-off film "Rogue One," whereas independent cinema connoisseurs will remember him starring in the critically acclaimed "Y tu mamá tambien" (2001) and in the Oscar-winning "Frida" (2002). His film "César Chávez" premiered in Berlin in 2014. Luna was also a member of a Cannes Film Festival jury in 2016.
Actress Maggie Gyllenhaal
The US actress has collected numerous roles in acclaimed indie films such as "Donnie Darko" (2001), "Secretary" (2002), "Sherrybaby" (2006) and "Frank" (2014), while also starring in the Batman thriller "The Dark Knight" in 2008. Gyllenhall has been speaking out against America's imperialism for over a decade; her activism fits well with the Berlinale's political reputation.
Director Wang Quan'an
The Chinese film director knows the Berlinale very well, having already received the prestigious Golden Bear in 2007 for his film "Tuya's Wedding." In 2010 he won a Silver Bear for best screenplay for "Apart Together," and in 2011 he competed with "White Deer Plain." This time, he'll be among those deciding who'll win the Golden Bear.