Jenna Ortega Embraces Her Role as the Youngest Jury Member at the Marrakech Film Festival: “I’m Not Intimidated”
Jenna Ortega, the star of Tim Burton’s Netflix series Wednesday, is making headlines as the youngest jury member at this year’s Marrakech Film Festival.
The 23-year-old actress joins a distinguished jury chaired by Bong Joon Ho, director of the Oscar-winning film Parasite.
In an interview, Ortega expressed her excitement about this unique opportunity, stating, “I’m not intimidated because I think I’m so overwhelmed with gratitude. I think it would be a shame to come into this experience and be weighed down by some external pressure.”
Other jury members include celebrated artists such as Palme d’Or winner Julia Ducournau, Oscar nominee Celine Song, Berlinale Best Actor winner Payman Maadi, along with actors Anya Taylor-Joy and renowned directors Karim Aïnouz and Hakim Belabbes.
The jury will evaluate 14 first and second films, including notable entries like Akinola Davies Jr.’s drama My Father’s Shadow, Zamo Mkhwanazi’s Apartheid-era film Laundry, Morad Mostafa’s Aisha Can’t Fly Away, and Erige Sehiri’s Promised Sky.
Jenna Ortega talks tour of duty as Marrakech Film Festival’s youngest ever jury member: “I’m so overwhelmed with gratitude” pic.twitter.com/QbMfdpixuw
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Reflecting on her experience, Ortega mentioned, “At the end of the day, we’re all on the same team. We’re here to have a discussion about film, an honest discussion, and I tend to be a pretty honest person; it’s very hard for me to put up a front. Obviously, I have the utmost respect for these directors and filmmakers. More than anything, I just want to be as present as possible.”
Earlier in the day, Ortega participated in a panel discussion focused on the impact of AI on cinema. She expressed concerns over the technology, likening its implications to a Pandora’s box being opened.
Ortega’s recent role in Taika Waititi’s adaptation of Kazuo Ishiguro’s Klara and the Sun has influenced her perspectives on AI. The film tells the story of a solar-powered AI robot girl serving as a companion for a seriously ill teenager.
“It’s been a while since I shot the film, but it’s entirely about that. I remember some of the conversations we had were in relation to 2001, not comparing the movie to 2001 specifically, but that film is really interesting because almost the most humane character is the robot,” she shared.
“I think about it often, but I try not to let that influence or intimidate me in any way, shape, or form because the only way to deal with these hardships is to face them head-on and not shy away,” Ortega concluded.
