Jacques Rozier, the Frenchdirector who was one of the founding fathers of the Nouvelle Vague, has beenappointed patron of the Critics' Week (13-21 May) sidebar for the forthcomingCannes film festival.

As patron Rozier willsupport and advise the event and on Monday 17 May lead an organised debate withthe directors whose films appear in the Critics' Week selection.

The Critics Week will inturn hold a special screening of his first feature Adieu Philippine, a filmwhich contrasts happy everyday life in France with the growing understanding ofan impending war in Algeria.

Previous patrons haveincluded KenLoach, Bernardo Bertolucci, Barbet Schroeder and Marin Karmitz.