What a shocker, right? In the nominations for France’s premier film awards, Jacques Audiard’s Oscar contender leads the field with a massive 13 bids. (Look out for my interview with Audiard, coming soon.)
It’s nice to finally see some love for Niels Arestrup’s astonishing work in the film, but when a contemporary prison drama can nail down a nomination for Best Costume Design, a sweep is afoot.
That said, the Césars don’t always go to plan: last year saw heavyweights like “The Class” and “I’ve Loved You So Long” upset by “Séraphine,” the film that went on to take Best Actress awards from two of America’s most prestigious critics’ circles. It’s always worth keeping an eye on titles that do well here.
I’m surprised that Alain Resnais’s “Wild Grass” didn’t do better here: the New Wave veteran’s critically beloved new effort scored a Best Film nomination, but little else, with Resnais himself snubbed in the Best Director race.
A more formidable rival to “A Prophet” looks to be another Cannes classmate, Xavier Giannoli’s “In the Beginning,” which racked up 11 nods. (That’s the film, incidentally, that Roger Ebert picked for the Oscar back in May.)
The French evidently didn’t think as much of “Coco Before Chanel” as the British did, as the popular but rather vanilla biopic was left out of the top race, while Jean-Pierre Jeunet’s “Micmacs,” which so disappointed me on the festival circuit, scored a few technical mentions only. (On another note, what exactly do the César voters have against Claire Denis?)
Obviously, I have yet to see most of the films mentioned here, but I can wholeheartedly cheer the Best Actress nomination for Kristin Scott Thomas in “Leaving,” a straightforward romantic thriller lifted into superior territory by an intelligently sensual turn from the British-born actress. (I reviewed the film at the LFF in the fall.) This comes just two days after she scored her fourth BAFTA nod for similarly remarkable work in “Nowhere Boy” — Scott Thomas really is at the top of her game these days.
Finally, an eclectic Best Foreign Film category pits the likes of “Avatar” and “Gran Torino” against “The White Ribbon” and claymation curio “A Town Called Panic.” Where else are you going to see a lineup like that?
The awards take place on February 27. Full list of nominations below.
Best Film
“The Concert”
“In the Beginning”
“A Prophet”
“Rapt”
“Welcome”
“Wild Grass”
Best Director
Jacques Audiard, “A Prophet”
Lucas Belvaux, “Rapt”
Xavier Giannoli, “In the Beginning”
Philippe Lioret, “Welcome”
Radu Mihaileanu, “The Concert”
Best Actor
Yvan Attal, “Rapt”
Francois Cluzet, “In the Beginning”
Francois Cluzet, “One for the Road”
Vincent Lindon, “Welcome”
Tahar Rahim, “A Prophet”
Best Actress
Isabelle Adjani, “Skirt Day”
Dominique Blanc, “The Other One”
Sandrine Kiberlain, “Mademoiselle Chambon”
Kristin Scott Thomas, “Leaving”
Audrey Tautou, “Coco Before Chanel”
Best Supporting Actor
Jean-Hugues Anglade, “Persecution”
Niels Arestrup, “A Prophet”
Joey Starr, “The Actress’ Ball”
Benoît Poelvoorde, “Coco Before Chanel”
Michel Vuillermoz, “One for the Road”
Best Supporting Actress
Aure Atika, “Mademoiselle Chambon”
Anne Consigny, “Rapt”
Audrey Dana, “Welcome”
Emmanuelle Devos, “In the Beginning”
Noémie Lvovsky, “The French Kissers”
Best Original Screenplay
Radu Mihaileanu and Alain-Michel Blanc, “The Concert”
Xavier Giannoli, “In the Beginning”
Jacques Audiard, Thomas Bidegain, Abdel Raouf Dafri and Nicolas Peufaillit, “A Prophet”
Jean-Paul Lilienfeld, “Skirt Day”
Philippe Lioret, Emmanuel Courco and Olivier Adam, “Welcome”
Best Adapted Screenplay
Anne Fontaine and Camille Fontaine, “Coco Before Chanel”
Laurent Tirard and Gregoire Vigneron, “Little Nicholas”
Stephane Brize and Florence Vignon, “Mademoiselle Chambon”
Philippe Godeau and Agnes de Sacy, “One for the Road”
Alex Reval and Laurent Herbiet, “Wild Grass”
Best Foreign Film
“Avatar”
“Gran Torino”
“I Killed My Mother”
“Milk”
“Slumdog Millionaire”
“A Town Called Panic”
“The White Ribbon”
Best Documentary
“Henri-Georges Clouzot’s Inferno”
“Himalaya: The Road to the Sky”
“Home”
“La Danse: The Paris Opera Ballet”
“My Greatest Escape”
Best First Film
“The French Kissers”
“Meet the Elisabethz”
“One for the Road”
“Silent Voices”
“Spy(ies)”
Best Breakthrough Actor
Firat Ayverdi, “Welcome”
Adel Bencherif, “A Prophet”
Vincent Lacoste, “The French Kissers”
Tahar Rahim, “A Prophet”
Vincent Rottiers, “I’m Glad That My Mother Is Alive”
Best Breakthrough Actress
Pauline Etienne, “Silent Voices”
Florence Loiret-Caille, “Someone I Loved”
Soko, “In the Beginning”
Christa Theret, “LOL (Laughing Out Loud)”
Melanie Thierry, “One for the Road”
Best Original Score
Armand Amar, “The Concert”
Alex Beaupain, “Making Plans for Lena”
Alexandre Desplat, “A Prophet”
Cliff Martinez, “In the Beginning”
Nicola Piovani, “Welcome”
Best Cinematography
Christophe Beaucarne, “Coco Before Chanel”
Laurent Dailland, “Welcome”
Stephane Fontaine, “A Prophet”
Eric Gautier, “Wild Grass”
Glynn Speeckaert, “In the Beginning”
Best Film Editing
“The Concert”
“In the Beginning”
“A Prophet”
“Wild Grass”
“Welcome”
Best Art Direction
“Coco Before Chanel”
“In the Beginning”
“Micmacs”
“OSS 117: Lost in Rio”
“A Prophet”
Best Costume Design
“Coco Before Chanel”
“Coco Chanel and Igor Stravinsky”
“Micmacs”
“OSS 117: Lost in Rio”
“A Prophet”
Best Sound
“The Concert”
“In the Beginning”
“Micmacs”
“A Prophet”
“Welcome”
Comments
18 responses to “‘A Prophet’ tops César nominations”
A Prophet is nominated in every category it is eligible! And Guy, you are surprised that Wild Grass didn’t do better, I’m actually surprised that it got a Best Picture nomination! From what I’ve read, it seems like an extremely indulgent auteur piece, and those don’t do very well even with the french awards.
Cahiers Du Cinema don’t match up with Cesars just like the critics in America and Oscars. I’ve Loved You So Long got zero stars from it. Likewise it top ranked Resnais film in 2006 but that missed the top category at the Cesars. Summer Hours also found no favors at the Cesars.
But these look like good nominations though most of us will likely never get to see half of these films. A Prophet sweep seems to be the deal now. Its the most widely acclaimed French film of the past 2-3 years. If I could hazard a guess I would also say that The White Ribbon will probably win Best Foreign Language Film. Surprised they didn’t nominate Basterds.
It’s surprising because Resnais is such a favourite of the Cesar voters — he hasn’t failed to score a Best Director nomination from them since “I Want to Go Home” in 1989.
Even when, as you mention, “Private Fears in Public Spaces” missed out in the Best Film race, Resnais still got a nom.
So yeah, I’m surprised.
Boy, the French really love Clint Eastwood, don’t they.
I usually like him too, but I totally hated “Gran Torino,” and didn’t that make Cahiers du Cinema’s top 10 of last year? Funny.
I absolutely loved the two films I’ve seen from Jaques Audiard so far, but has anyone seen “See How They Fall”? It’s the only one available on Netflix that I haven’t seen yet.
Indeed, “Gran Torino” made Cahiers’ list.
There are a handful of American filmmakers who enjoy godly status in France, whatever the quality of work they produce. Eastwood is one of them. Woody Allen is another. So, interestingly enough, is James Gray.
They are quite good at weeding out unappreciated American masters. I love Two Lovers, 1 of the best films of the year and Cahiers already had it on last year’s list. Even Nicolas Ray and Johnny guitar were celebrated much earlier in France before America caught up.
And it must be said that Cahiers have been life long fans of Eastwood. They had Bridges of Madison County on their best of 90’s list. The Academy at large(baring Unforgiven) & American critics went apeshit over Eastwood only Mystic River onwards. But I share their love for Eastwood and think he’s definitely 1 of the best directors working today. I haven’t seen anything from James Gray besides Two Lovers though I hear he’s making an adventure film with Brad Pitt next.
Always nice to see Emmanuelle Devos and Anne Consigny recognized, even if I haven’t seen these films yet.
Dayum nothing for the actors from Le Concert?
I would love A Prophet to do a sweep. I do hope Rahim wins for Actor and not just for male revelation and Niels Arestrup for supporting but Jean-Hugues Anglade is a legend.
I just wanted to give a little love to one movie you haven’t mentioned at all: Le Concert. It was, WONDERFUL! I walked out of there with such a grin on my face, wishing I was staying in the country longer so I could see it again. Now I’m anxiously waiting for it to come out here. Great story and so much FUN!!!
Nel: Legend he may be, but “Persecution” is one lousy movie, and he’s nothing special in it. Of the three nominees I’ve seen, Arestrup is in another league.
Crazycris: Great to hear. I look forward to checking it out.
Are Americans eligible for a nomination in the acting categories?
no, to be eligible, an actor needs to be in a movie produced by a french producer, it’s the reason why Adrien Brody won the cesar for the pianist in 2003, and it’s the reason why Tilda Swinton was nominated last year for Julia.
In other words, yes, Americans are eligible if they’re in a French production.
Hello, I am French and I attended the press conference for the announcement of the nominations. I was given a book in which all eligible movies were presented. For Instance, Tommy Lee Jones was not eligible because IN THE ELECTRIC MIST is an American Movie and Brenda Blethyn was eligible for LONDON RIVER but the movie was sadly ignored. As is clearly, on a regular basis, Claire Denis ( 35 RHUMS is one of my favorite French movies this year ) or Olivier Assayas whose SUMMER HOURS received last year a nomination for the legendary Edith Scob, who lost to Elsa Zylberstein ( I’ve loved you so long ). The thing I like about the Cesar is that they are not as predictable as the Oscars, the presence of A TOWN CALLED PANIC is a nice touch. It is nominated as a foreign French speaking movie. A new rule since last year that two of those are nominated in the foreign movie category, allowing Cowboy, Indian and Horse to compete against Clint and Sean.. If you have not seen that animated movie, it can be addictive ( I can tell… )
Aww man it does look like Persecution is a bad movie reading the reviews. How could Duris, Gainsbourg , Anglade and Chéreau go wrong? But I still want to see it!
Wait WHAT? Only 3 nominations for Micmacs? And in techs? What the…? I mean, Amélie did win the Best Picture César.
Why do people hate “Micmacs”? It’s so amazing!! But then again, “Bright Star” is also getting snubbed everywhere. The world is unfair.
(i’m french, sorry for my english)
Guy Lodge is in love with Kristin Scott Thomas :D
Just teasing you ;))….I remember last year, I was so disappointed she was snub by th Oscars but glad that a performance in a small french movie had so much attention.
Glad that you (or jeff wells, another guy with a crush :p) praised so much her performance.
I’m glad she is nominated for “Leaving”….I liked the movie and loved her performance.
My favorite french movie of last year was “In the beginning” (yeah i liked it better than “a prophet”) so i really hope it will win.
In my opinion, Cluzet deserved his n nods….and so happy for Vincent Rottiers nomination in “Best Breakthrough Actor”.
Oh, I totally have a crush on Kristin Scott Thomas. Guilty as charged ;)
Luckily, she’s also a terrific actress on any terms.
Really looking forward to seeing “In the Beginning.” I really liked Giannoli’s “The Singer.”
you’re from canada, right ?
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Really looking forward to seeing “In the Beginning.” I really liked Giannoli’s “The Singer.”
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hope you will see “In the beginning” soon* (oh and the young vincent rottiers, that i was talking about, plays a supporting character in it), it’s a completely different movie from “The Singer” …..but it’s also a good one :)
*about that, do you know when it will be released where you leave ?