71st Venice International Film Festival Jaeger-LeCoultre supports creativity and cinematographic art

Committed for the last ten years to preserving and enhancing the “seventh art”, a discipline closely related to the watchmaking profession in terms of the ingenuity as well as the artistic and technical mastery that both artisans and filmmakers must display, the name of Jaeger-LeCoultre is now associated with the world’s finest film festivals. A loyal partner of the Venice Film Festival, the famous Swiss Fine Watchmaking Maison will play an active part in the key moments of this event to be held from August 27th to September 6th 2014.
A symbol of virtuosity, Venice and its lagoon appeal as strongly as ever to the famous Swiss watch Manufacture. Jaeger-LeCoultre wished to strengthen its ties with the City of the Doges through new donations intended to enhance a unique place dedicated to art. The brand is beginning a three-year restoration programme of a historic monument very close to the hearts of Venetians: the “Scuola Grande di San Rocco”, the confraternity rendered unique by the creations of the painter Tintoretto.
Since Venice is also synonymous with expertise, and Jaeger-LeCoultre will be showcasing at the 71st Venice International Film Festival its new Hybris Artistica collection composed of 12 precious and exclusive watches symbolising the horological excellence of the Swiss Manufacture.
The Venice International Film Festival is also an opportunity for Jaeger-LeCoultre to honour the creative ingenuity of filmmakers by awarding the Glory to the Filmmaker Award. Each year, this distinction is conferred on a personality who has made a significant contribution to the development of contemporary cinema a special awards ceremony organised by the Biennale di Venezia. Past honourees include Ettore Scola in 2013, Spike Lee in 2012, Al Pacino in 2011, Indian film director Mani Ratnam in 2010, Sylvester Stallone in 2009, Agnès Varda and Abbas Kirostami in 2008 and Takeshi Kitano in 2007.
At the 71st Venice International Film Festival, the Swiss Fine Watchmaking Maison is also pursuing its support of the humanitarian NGO Emergency. For over 20 years, this humanitarian association has been providing emergency medical treatment to civilian victims of war, and for the past three years, Jaeger-LeCoultre has been annually training the spotlight on this association through a special event held during the Venice Film Festival with support from the friends of the brand. On Thursday August 28th 2014 a dedicated Red Carpet action will be organised, featuring a Jaeger-LeCoultre watch specially engraved for this charity.
During the Awards Ceremony on the closing night of the festival, Jaeger-LeCoultre will present its iconic Reverso watch to the winners of the Best Film (Golden Lion) Award, as well as to the year’s Best Actress and Best Actor. These three personalised timepieces – adorned with a lacquered engraving depicting a lion, the symbol of Venice – are handcrafted in accordance with the finest traditions and bear the inscription “71. Mostra”.