The president of the Cannes Film Festival participated in the Women In Motion conversation on May 21, where he reflected on the highlights of his career and one of his priorities.
He has already left his mark in the history of the Cannes Film Festival. In 2023, Iris Knobloch became the first woman to be appointed president of the event, succeeding Pierre Lescure, who had held the position for eight years. As a guest on Women on the Move, a Kering program honoring women who are working to profoundly change the dynamics of the cultural world, she shared how she was moved by the acceptance of her nomination; There was a woman at the head of the festival. This is a moment of shared pride and inspiration for others. For me, the advancement of women in the film industry is a priority of my presidency.” And the natural culmination of a career that many consider exemplary.
” data-script=”https://static.lefigaro.fr/widget-video/short-ttl/video/index.js” >
The art of joy
“I wanted to work in a field that brings me joy.” This is how Iris Knobloch oriented her professional life towards cinema. Art that accompanied his childhood. In Munich, where he was born, his parents, Holocaust survivors, took him to the movies several times a week; “For them, it was a way to recover their lost youth. It taught me the power of cinema: to convey messages, to liberate words, to perform a debt of memory. And it showed me its universality, which I consider very important. cinema has no borders and in today’s world this is even more important.
Lawyer Iris Knoblock settled in New York, then Los Angeles, where she joined Warner. He stayed there for 25 years, 15 of them as the president of the studio’s French branch. In the latter, his strongest memory already connects him with the selection of the Cannes Film Festival The artist Film by Michel Hazanavicius, 2011. “At the time it really showed me the huge launch pad that the festival is. This film would never have had its career and its 5 Oscars without the light it received at Cannes. “How Anatomy of a Fallthe first award of his term as president, which he is pleased to have received from director Justin Triet.
Fight prejudice
When asked what obstacles she has faced in her career, Iris Knobloch admits that she “doesn’t like to look back.” But admits that as a woman, “you have to prove more than a man that you are in the right place. You have to give more, but it doesn’t have to be a hindrance. it also pushes you to a certain level of excellence and gives you strength to move forward.” His supporters? “I was lucky to have parents who always supported me, encouraged me, gave me confidence. Confidence is an important topic for women who often underestimate themselves, as I know myself. I have also been supported by wonderful men throughout my career. They are the ones who pushed me throughout my career, gave me visibility and that made all the difference. Equality with women will not succeed without them. »
Today, Iris Knobloch realizes that when she took over from Pierre Lescure as president of the Cannes Film Festival, expectations were a little different. the same would be true of a male appointment. I hope things will change, but this little prejudice is still pretty entrenched in today’s world.”
In the fight against these preconceived ideas. Iris Knobloch intends to make this one of the main missions of her presidency. As for the selection of films in Cannes, he is not in favor of quotas. “I don’t believe that it helps the cause of women. For me, the fundamental element of selection is based on excellence of work. The best film should be chosen, not giving women a sense of illegitimacy. They should feel that they are there because their films are among the best.”
Transfer
Iris Knobloch prefers to focus on role models, highlighting women who can inspire films or careers for others; I think of women like Jane Campion, the first to win the Palme d’Or. Piano lesson. And this year’s opening ceremony featured an extraordinary assembly of women from all generations, from Zaho de Sagazan, Camille Cotin, Juliette Binoche to Meryl Streep and Greta Gerwig. These are every model that inspires me.”
The election of Greta Gerwig as the president of the festival’s 2024 jury particularly excites him. “Greta is a symbol of a modern, free woman. He represents all the values of the Cannes festival. was a director, author, actress, navigated between independent cinema. Ladybird and with the general public barbie . We need these young women and men to write the cinema of tomorrow. Passing on to new generations is a very strong element of my mission at the festival for me.”
Transferring your ideas and your experience. a goal that Iris Knobloch also welcomes through Cannes’ Women In Motion program. “I like that it always rewards a woman who has achieved everything and a young up-and-coming talent who gets very specific, financial support. This is a significant moment in the career of a young woman who has just made her first film, very strong encouragement. This spotlight on successful women in film sends an extremely strong message that yes, we have the right to succeed. To be a woman and be successful in cinema.
Source: Le Figaro
