Matrix star hosts Cannes festival
Lambert Wilson will host opening and closing ceremonies at prestigious movie festival, which opens on May 14
FRENCH actor Lambert Wilson, best known for his role in two Matrix films, is to host the opening and closing ceremonies at this year's Cannes film festival.
The 55-year-old will introduce president of the jury, director Jane Campion, on stage at the opening ceremony on May 14, and present the closing awards ceremony on May 24, festival organisers said in a statement.
"The epitome of elegance, this multi-talented artist who describes himself as a 'sociable hermit' divides his time between the theatre, the cinema and singing," the organisers added.
Wilson played The Merovingian in The Matrix Reloaded and The Matrix Revolutions, the second and third instalments in the science fiction action trilogy, both released in 2003.
He follows in the footsteps of Amelie actress Audrey Tautou, who hosted the ceremonies last year.
The actor tested for the role of James Bond in GoldenEye and studied theatre in London for 14 months, before giving up his course at London's Drama Centre to make his professional theatrical debut in Paris in a play with his father, acclaimed French actor Georges Wilson.
He made his first appearance at Cannes in 1985 in Andre Techine film Rendez-Vous, in which he appeared alongside a young Juliette Binoche.
The line-up of films competing for the top Palme d'Or prize at the 67th Cannes film festival will be announced on April 17.
© AFP/Connexion
