MVFF47 will honor Jude Law with a special tribute

Jude Law. Image: Gilbert Carrasquillo/GC Images

Actor Jude Law will be honored with a special in-person tribute during this year’s Mill Valley Film Festival (MVFF), October 3-13, 2024.  The BAFTA-winning and Oscar-nominated actor, who plays Henry VIII in Karim Aïnouz’s new period drama “Firebrand,” released Friday, will participate in an on stage conversation and will receive the MVFF Award. This is the first news from the California Film Institute (CAFILM) about the 47^th edition of the highly-anticipated festival.

 “Jude Law’s striking performance in his new film ‘Firebrand’ is a reminder of his extraordinary career, one that defies pigeonholing with roles that are romantic and iconic, edgy and seductive, encompassing the queer, historic and fantastical,” Zoë Elton, MVFF Director of Programming. “From his early work on television and stage, including a Tony-nominated performance in ‘Indiscretions,’ to acclaimed films like ‘Wilde and Gattaca,’ Law has consistently showcased his versatile talent.”

Tributes at MVFF are always exciting. Law’s tribute will revisit key moments from his films and examine his portrayal of Henry VIII in the new period drama “Firebrand.”

Jude Law, left, as Henry VIII, and Alicia Vikander, as Catherine Parr, his spirited sixth wife in Brazilian director, Karim Aïnouz’s “Firebrand.”  The period drama covers the tumultuous later years of Henry and Catherine’s marriage, when religious factions vied for dominance at the ailing king’s court, putting the queen’s life at risk in the process. The film has been praised Law’s charismatic depiction of Henry in his final days as well as for its depiction of Tudor England with its gorgeously lit scenes from French cinematographer Hélène Louvart that seem plucked from the Dutch masters.  Image: Larry Horricks/Roadside Attractions

The 51 year-old English actor began his career in British theatre before landing small roles in various British television productions and feature films.  He gained international recognition for his role as Mickie Greeleaf in Anthony Minghella’s “The Talented Mr. Ripley” (1999), for which he won the BAFTA Award for Best Actor in A Supporting Role and was nominated for an Academy Award.  He was nominated for another Oscar for Best Actor for his performance as the Confederate deserter W.P. Inman married to Nicle Kidman in “Cold Mountain” (2003).  Other notable roles include an android in Steven Spielberg’s “A.I. Artificial Intelligence” (2001), Dr. Watson in two Sherlock Holmes films, and Albus Dumbledore in the “Fantastic Beasts” movies. Law has also performed in several notable West End and Broadway productions including “Les Parents terribles” (1994), “Hamlet” (2010), and “Anna Christie (2011).  

Along with the new release of “Firebrand,” Law has upcoming starring roles in the Disney+ series “Star Wars: Skeleton Crew,” Ron Howard’s new survival film “Eden,” and Justin Kurzel’s new crime thriller “The Order.”  He is currently in production on the Netflix series “Black Rabbit,” in which he stars opposite Jason Bateman, who also directs, and executive produces under Riff Raff which is the entertainment company Law co-founded with creative partner Ben Jackson. Law has also produced several notable films including “True Things,” “Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow,” and “Sleuth” under the Riff Raff banner. 

Details:

The 47th MVFF is October 3-13, 2024. Stay-tuned to ARThound for festival announcements. Events with appearances by big name talent sell out quickly. Members of the California Film Institute (CAFILM) (formerly CFI) receive discounts and early-bird access to MVFF tickets as well as year-round discounts on tickets at San Rafael’s Smith Rafael Film Center and Mill Valley’s Sequoia Cinemas.