Bernardo Bertolucci to lead Venice film festival jury

London: Oscar-winning Italian director Bernardo Bertolucci is will lead the jury of the prestigious 70th Venice film festival, organizers of the event announced on Thursday.

The 73-year-old director previously chaired the jury in 1983 when Jean-Luc Godard`s `First Name: Carmen` was awarded the Golden Lion, the BBC reported. "At the time what I wanted from films was surprise and enjoyment. I haven`t changed much since then," Bertolucci said in a statement. Bertolucci is best known for the films `Last Tango in Paris` and `The Last Emperor`, which won nine Oscars. "Few directors can bring together, like Bertolucci, a long experience with the fact of living in the present of cinematography," Venice festival director Alberto Barbera said, in a statement. The filmmaker has premiered numerous films at Venice, including his debut film `The Grim Reaper`, in 1962, and more recently, `The Dreamers`, in 2003. The line-up for this year`s festival, which is scheduled from 28 August to 7 September, will be announced in July. ANI