He starred in last year’s controversial Palme d’Or winner Titane by Julie Ducournau and is the first French incumbent in the role after Isabelle Huppert in 2009.
Lindon will be surrounded by actress and director Rebecca Hall (Passing), actresses Deepika Padukone from India (Chennai Express), Noomi Rapace from Sweden (Lamb), Jasmine Trinca from Italy (Miele); Iranian director Asghar Farhadi (A Hero); Ladj Ly, (Les Misérables); and directors and screenwriters Jeff Nichols (Take Shelter) from the US and Joachim Trier (The Worst Person In the World) from Norway. Trinca’s debut directorial feature Marcel will be presented in the Special Screening section of the festival, it has also just been announced.
Lindon acknowledged his pride of being entrusted with the role "in the midst of the tumult of all the events we are going through in the world. With my Jury, we will strive to take the best possible care of the films of the future, all of which carry the same secret hope of courage, loyalty, and freedom, with a mission to move the greatest number of women and men by speaking to them of their common wounds and joys. Culture helps the human soul to rise and hope for tomorrow.”
With a strong physical presence in all his roles Lindon has been compared to the legendary Jean Gabin and Lino Ventura. The organisers suggest that Lindon "shares with his elders a magnetic and rough presence, where a rare and always vivid sensitivity emerges. Instinctive and passionate, Vincent Lindon is a powerhouse of tension and emotion.”
Originally Penelope Cruz had been touted as a potential President but was unavailable due to work commitments.