Marilyn Monroe picked as icon for 2012 Cannes Film Festival

Los Angeles: Cannes Film Festival has chosen legendary actress Marilyn Monroe as the icon for its 2012 festival.

The blond bombshell is featured in an official poster to celebrate the 65th anniversary of the festival, which is also paying homage to the 50th anniversary of the actress` death, reported Aceshowbiz. In the black-and-white image, which was taken by photographer Otto L Bettmann, Monroe is seen seductively blowing out a candle on a birthday cake. "Fifty years after her death, Marilyn is still a major figure in world cinema, an eternal icon, whose grace, mystery and power of seduction remain resolutely contemporary," so reads the open statement. "Each of her screen appearance sparks the imagination. The Festival poster captures Marilyn by surprise in an intimate moment where myth meets reality, a moving tribute to the anniversary of her passing, which coincides with the Festival anniversary, a statement from the Cannes Festival read. The 65th annual Cannes Film Festival will run from May 16 to 27. PTI