Christine Hakim to attend Cannes International Film Festival

Christine Hakim to attend Cannes International Film Festival

JAKARTA: Veteran Indonesian film actress Christine Hakim said
on Monday she will attend the 55th Cannes International Film
Festival as one of the judges.

"I really appreciate this honor," Hakim, 46, told reporters.

She described herself as not a well known actress but said the
organizers' choice showed that she did have "some reputation."

Malaysian Michele Yeoh, a star of the Hong Kong cinema who
counts a James Bond movie among her credits, will be another
representative from Asia on the judges' panel which will be
headed by David Lynch.

Other members will include American star Sharon Stone and
Danish director Bille August, who already has two Palmes d'Or
from Cannes.

"It is a big opportunity for Indonesian and for Southeast
Asian actresses and directors to strengthen their position," said
Hakim, who has remained very selective in the roles she plays.

Hakim appeared in A Leaf on a Pillow, a film by Indonesian
director Garin Nugroho which was screened in Cannes in 1998.

Some 22 films from 15 countries will vie for the Palme d'Or in
this year's Cannes Festival from May 15-26.

Hakim said her nomination last month as a judge came as "a big
surprise" and she had to cancel another engagement in Japan.

"I like to see films from Iran, Brazil, Vietnam. I don't go to
movies to see US blockbusters. It's very rare," said Hakim, who
began her movie career in the 1970s.

But when asked what was the latest film she saw, she laughed
and said: "Wait a minute, that was Harry Potter". --AFP