JAKARTA Veteran Indonesian film actress Christine Hakim said on Monday she will attend the 55th Cannes International Film Festival as one of the judges, AFP reported.

"I really appreciate this honor," Hakim, 46, told reporters.

She described herself as not a well known actress but said the organizers' choice showed that she did have "some reputation."

Malaysian Michele Yeoh, a star of the Hong Kong cinema who counts a James Bond movie among her credits, will be another representative from Asia on the judges' panel which will be headed by David Lynch.

Other members will include U.S. star Sharon Stone and Danish director Bille August, who already has two Palmes d'Or from Cannes.

"It is a big opportunity for Indonesian and for Southeast Asian actresses and directors to strengthen their position," said Hakim, who has remained very selective in the roles she plays.

Hakim appeared in ***"A Leaf on a Pillow"***, a film by Indonesian director Garin Nugroho which was screened in Cannes in 1998.

Some 22 films from 15 countries will vie for the Palme d'Or in this year's Cannes festival from May 15-26.

Hakim said her nomination last month as a judge came as "a big surprise" and she had to cancel another engagement in Japan.

"I like to see films from Iran, Brazil, Vietnam. I don't go to movies to see U.S. blockbusters. It's very rare," said Hakim, who began her movie career in the 1970s.

But when asked what was the latest film she saw, she laughed and said: "Wait a minute, that was ***'Harry Potter'***."