The Césars awards for French cinema, were to break with the between-self: they took action from the opening of the ceremony by crowning two black actors as the best hopes.
The 46th ceremony, which opened Friday evening March 12th in the Parisian hall of the Olympia under strict health protocol, while the cinemas are still closed, crowned Jean-Pascal Zadi and Fathia Youssouf.
The first, best male newcomer, is the author, director (with John Wax) and main actor of “Tout Simply Noir”, a comedy that attacks racist stereotypes. This cinematographic UFO which, according to him, speaks “above all of humanity” has hit the screens between the two confinements.
“Each generation must find its mission, accomplish it or betray it”, said Jean-Pascal Zadi receiving his award, citing the thinker of post-colonialism Frantz Fanon. For the Caesars, a flagship institution of French cinema for a long time undermined by accusations of self-esteem and opacity, which had finished wrecking last year during the coronation of Roman Polanski, this appointment is very symbolic.
Especially since it came just after that of Fathia Youssouf, crowned at only 14 years old, for “Mignonnes”, a film about adolescence in Paris, between the traditions of a Senegalese polygamous family and social networks.
President of the ceremony, actor Roschdy Zem had previously opened the festivities by stressing that “the profession is changing”. “The rules of the game are changing, not to stop the game, but to play a tie this time around,” he said.
“Trust !”
The other big subject of the Caesars was obviously the pandemic, which keeps the rooms closed, and brought the sector to its knees.
“What we lack is what binds us together, the emotions we experience together and which make us say that we are not quite alone (…) So yeah, we can’t wait for you to find! “, the mistress of ceremonies, Marina Foïs, told viewers in her opening remarks.
In front of her, a half-empty room in the Olympia, where only the nominees and a handful of other personalities could take place, for health reasons. Much awaited by the exasperated professionals, who despair of obtaining concrete on a prospect of reopening, the Minister of Culture Roselyne Bachelot sent “a message of hope” on her arrival. “We are in the process of building the conditions for reopening venues with the industry,” she said before entering the Olympia.
“We will see films again, the public will be there, the artists will be there, really, French cinema + confidence +!”, She added.
A trio in the lead
The most awaited rewards must be awarded later in the evening, after notably a César anniversary to the troupe of Splendid (Christian Clavier, Gérard Jugnot, Thierry Lhermitte, Michel Blanc, Josiane Balasko …), authors of the “Bronzés” and of “Santa Claus is junk”.
A trio of films are in the lead.
Big favorite with 13 nominations, “The things we say, the things we do” by Emmanuel Mouret, tireless explorer of the feeling of love, can hope, in addition to the title of best film, that of best actress (Camélia Jordana) and best actor (Niels Schneider).
Also well placed are “Eté 85” by François Ozon, filmmaker often named and never rewarded, as well as “Adieu les Cons” by Albert Dupontel, for the realization and the interpretation, with Virginie Efira, in the running for the César for best actress.
In all categories, rising stars (director Caroline Vignal and actress Laure Calamy for “Antoinette in the Cévennes”, actor Jonathan Cohen in “Huge”) rub shoulders with older backpackers from the cinema (actor Lambert Wilson for “De Gaulle”, or actress Barbara Sukowa for “Deux”, awarded at Cannes 35 years ago) … The selection was limited this year, because only films released in theaters in 2020, passed between the drops of confinement, could compete.
By AlizeLaVie 03/12/2021
