Jacques Audiard’s "Emilia Perez" Triumphs at the 50th Cesar Awards in Paris
The 50th edition of the Cesar Awards, France’s prestigious equivalent of the Oscars, took place in Paris on Friday, with Jacques Audiard’s crime musical "Emilia Perez" emerging as the night’s big winner. The film swept up a total of seven awards, including Best Film and Best Director, out of 12 nominations. "Emilia Perez" also claimed awards for Best Adapted Screenplay, Sound, Original Music, Special Effects, and Cinematography.
Despite a stellar lineup of nominees, including Zoe Saldana and Karla Sofía Gascón for Best Actress, the award went to Hafsia Herzi for her role as a prison supervisor in Stéphane Demoustier’s "Borgo." Gascón, who has been embroiled in controversy due to her past offensive social media posts, attended the ceremony but kept a low profile, avoiding the press line on the red carpet and sitting separately from Audiard and Saldana.
The ceremony, hosted by French actor Jean-Pascal Zadi, commenced with a lighthearted yet awkward moment as Zadi humorously referenced Gascón’s social media controversies. His quip about "Emilia Perez" being nominated for "Best Tweet" drew a mix of gasps and laughter from the audience, including Audiard and Saldana. Zadi later advised Audiard to laugh off the situation, to which Audiard responded with a heartfelt speech, expressing gratitude towards his team and the actresses he worked with.
When "Emilia Perez" secured the Best Film award, Audiard allowed his producers, Valerie Schermann and Pascal Caucheteux, to take the stage for the final speech. This victory solidifies Audiard’s status as one of France’s most celebrated filmmakers, with "Emilia Perez" adding to his impressive Cesar Awards tally of 12 wins. The film’s success in France contrasts sharply with its waning Oscar prospects in the U.S., where the scandal surrounding Gascón’s tweets has overshadowed its achievements.
Other notable moments from the ceremony included Catherine Deneuve’s heartfelt tribute to Ukraine and her late sister, Françoise Dorléac, and an honorary tribute to Julia Roberts, presented by Clive Owen. Roberts, celebrated for her iconic roles in films like "Pretty Woman" and "Erin Brockovich," was touched by the recognition and expressed gratitude to her family for their support. The ceremony also featured a political statement from Jonathan Glazer, whose film "The Zone of Interest" won Best Foreign Film. Glazer’s distributor read a fiery speech addressing the war in Gaza, underscoring the event’s connection to global issues.
The 50th Cesar Awards also highlighted a significant shift in the industry’s inclusivity. Despite the absence of female directors in the Best Director category, women filmmakers like Coralie Fargeat and Louis Courvoisier made notable contributions to nominated films. This edition of the awards, revamped by the Cesar Academy to promote diversity, showcased a blend of established talent and emerging voices, ensuring a vibrant future for French cinema. The ceremony concluded with a celebration of Julia Roberts’ career, marking a memorable end to a night honoring cinematic excellence.
