Mendes to lead Venice Film Festival jury
British film director Sam Mendes, 50, will head the jury at the 73rd Venice Film Festival that decides the winner of the Golden Lion Best Film and Silver Lion Best Director awards. The festival opens on Aug 31.
Mikkelsen receives French civilian award
France honoured Bond villain Mads Mikkelsen, 50, with a top civilian award on Wednesday. He and Danish film director Thomas Vinterberg, 46, took the Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters honour at a ceremony in Copenhagen.