naomi kawase

Source: Cairo International Film Festival

Naomi Kawase

Japanese director Naomi Kawase will preside over the international competition jury for the 44th Cairo International Film Festival (CIFF, November 13-22).

Kawase is the youngest person to win Cannes’ Palme d’Or for best debut which she picked up in 1997 for Suzaka. Her other credits include The Mourning Forest, Sweet Bean and Hikari.

Earlier this year, Kawase was accused of physical assault on two separate occasions. An article published in Shukan Bunshun in April claimed the director kicked an assistant on the set of True Things in 2019 – a claim Kawase does not deny.

A further article in the same publication reported that Kawase had punched a member of staff at her production company, Kumie, which the director denies.

Hungarian filmmaker Bela Tarr will be honoured with a lifetime achievement award at this year’s CIFF.