In the long tradition of having stunning women host the Cannes ceremonies, it has been announced that German übermodel Diane Kruger (“Troy” and “Joyeux Noël”) will be the Master of Ceremonies on the opening and closing nights (anything wrong in calling her a Mistress of Ceremonies?). Kruger, 30, follows Monica Bellucci and Cécile de France on the red carpet. French actor Vincent Cassel doesn’t quite qualify as a stunning woman.
As mentioned elsewhere, Britain’s Stephen Frears will be the jury president in 2006.
Diane Kruger and the movies
Diane Kruger was born Diane Heidkrüger in Algermissen, near Hildesheim, Germany. She first studied ballet with the Royal Ballet in London, but an injury put paid to her hopes for a career in ballet. She returned to Germany and became a top fashion model. She later pursued acting and relocated to Paris at the suggestion of French filmmaker Luc Besson (The Fifth Element (1997)). She married French actor Guillaume Canet (The Beach (2000)) in 2001.
Speaking abut her career changes – and particularly abandoning a lucrative modelling career, Kruger has said: ” I thought ‘fuck everyone’ and moved back to Paris. I called my agent and said I didn’t want to model any more, which they couldn’t believe because I was 22 and doing very well. But I left it and went to drama school, and I’m so happy I did.”
UPDATE: Since that time she has acted regularly. Her most recent release is “The Operative” from 2019.
I think it’s great that Kruger is hosting the festival. She’s got the Hollywood glamor without all the Hollywood Drama and baggage. I was just watching this video on past festivals, and they really don’t make “stars” like they used to. Check it out if you have a chance: http://travelistic.com/video/show/2371