DUBAI: As stars get ready to grace the Cannes Film Festival’s red carpet, French-Algerian actor Tahar Rahim has made first his appearance at the awaited event.
“The Serpent” star will be part of this year’s jury led by director Spike Lee.
Rahim has already been spotted along with other jury members including Lee, Brazilian film director Kleber Mendonça Filho and South Korean actor Song Kang-ho as they attended a photocall during the 74th edition of the festival, running until July 17.
Rahim is not the only Arab star set to play a major role at Cannes.
Last month, the festival announced that Tunisian filmmaker Kaouther Ben Hania and Egyptian director Sameh Alaa will be part of the short film jury.
Despite social distancing subduing some of the event’s signature glamour, excitement is rife for the first fully fledged film festival since the start of the coronavirus pandemic.
Last year’s edition was cancelled over the health crisis, and although stars will be allowed to go maskless on the red carpet this year, a health pass is required for entrance and many of the glitzy after-parties that are the festival’s calling card have been postponed because of distancing measures.
