"An Officer and a Spy" and "Les Miserables" battle it out for the César

by Nathaniel R

France's Oscar parallel competition, the Césars, have finally announced their nominations for the film year. Roman Polanski's adaptation of Robert Harris's novel An Officer and a Spy leads the nominations. It's based on the Dreyfus affair and Emile Zola's "J'Accuse!" letter, both of which are also the topic of one of Oscar's earliest Best Picture winners The Life of Emile Zola (1937).  The drama leads the Césars with 12 nominations while the Oscar-nominated Les Miserables and the riveting queer romantic drama Portrait of a Lady on Fire were right behind with 10 nominations each. After the jump all the nominations and a few notes...

Best Film

• “La Belle Epoque,” Nicolas Bedos
• “By The Grace of God,” François Ozon
• “The Specials,” Eric Toledano, Olivier Nakache
• “An Officer And A Spy,” Roman Polanski
• “Les Miserables,” Ladj Ly
• “Portrait Of A Lady On Fire,” Céline Sciamma
• “Oh Mercy,” Arnaud Desplechin

Only three of these films have made it to the States (Les Miserables, Portrait of a Lady on Fire and By The Grace of God) and all were critically well received. We're hoping Oh Mercy gets here since Desplechin is such an interesting filmmaker.  An Officer and a Spy is clearly not travelling to the States given the fury surrounding Roman Polanski. Naturally that film leading the nominations has upset people and boycotts have already been threatened. 

Polanski's famous victim Samantha Geimer, isn't amused (as usual) about the outrage, and whether or not you agree with her various statements about leaving Polanski alone -- she argues that people don't actually care about victims, only being outraged -- it is a real shame that people attack her when she speaks up. When they do, however well-intentioned their outrage might be, it only supports her point. She is the literal victim in this equation. 

Once again, films do not sexually assault people, but censorship hurt all of us. We should be grateful for everything positive that anyone has to offer society, not demand tests of purity or exile. https://t.co/TBp6uzMBhZ

— Samantha Jane Geimer (@sjgeimer) January 29, 2020

Here's hoping Portrait of a Lady on Fire miraculously wins... though we think the safe call is Les Miserables  which France obviously loves more than Portrait (see the Oscar submission) and it comes with less controversy than the nomination leader. That said An Officer and a Spy is quite popular in some European quarters. Polanski won Best Director at the Lumieres (France's other big movie prize) though Les Miserables took the top honor.  

Best Director

• François Ozon, “By The Grace of God”
• Eric Toledano, Olivier Nakache, “The Specials”
• Roman Polanski, “An Officer And A Spy”
• Ladj Ly, “Les Miserables”
• Céline Sciamma, “Portrait Of A Lady On Fire”
• Arnaud Desplechin, “Oh Mercy”

Extremely happy to see Sciamma and Ozon and Desplechin all here. Toledano and Nakache are the directing duo that previously had a big international hit with The Intouchables (2011) which recently received a remake in the US (The Upside).

Best Actress

 

• Anais Demoustier, “Alice and The Mayor”
• Eva Green, “Proxima”
• Adele Haenel, “Portrait Of A Lady On Fire”
• Chiara Mastroianni, “Chambre 212”
• Noemie Merlant, “Portrait Of A Lady On Fire”
• Doria Tillier, “La belle époque”
• Karin Viard, “The Perfect Nanny”

Though Eva Green was born in France she's ben more of an international star than a French-specific one. This is actually her first César nomination. This is Chiara Mastroianni's first nomination since 1993 when she was up for Most Promising Actress so that must feel good for Deneuve's talented daughter! Adele Haenel is of course already a César favourite, winning twice this past decade and here receiving her 7th nomination. Noemie Merlant recently won the Lumiere. Will she repeat at the Césars? (I preferred Haenel from that duet but your mileage may vary). 

The César champ here, though, is Karin Viard, on her 13th nomination (she's won thrice). 

Best Actor

• Daniel Auteuil, “La belle époque”
• Damien Bonnard, “Les Miserables”
• Vincent Cassel, “The Specials”
• Jean Dujardin, “An Officer and a Spy”
• Read Kateb, “The Specials”
• Melvil Poupaud, “By The Grace of God”
• Roschdy Zem, “Oh Mercy”

That's like a who's who of great French actors! 

Best Foreign Film

• “Pain and Glory,” Pedro Almodovar
• “The Young Ahmed,” Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne
• “Joker,” Todd Phillips
• “Lola vers la mer,” Laurent Micheli
• “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood,” Quentin Tarantino
• “Parasite,” Bong Joon-Ho
• “The Traitor,” Marco Bellocchio

Three of the current Oscar nominees for Best Picture show up as does Almodovar's Pain and Glory! It's a bit surprising that Italy couldn't get traction in the International Film race with Oscar since the movie obviously has a fanbase. 

Best Documentary

• “68, mon père et les clous,” Samuel Bigiaoui
• “La cordillere des songes,” Patricio Guzman
• “Lourdes,” Thierry Demaizière, Alain Teurlai
• “M,” Yolande Zauberman
• “Wonder Boy Olivier Rousteing, ne sous X,” Anissa Bonnefont

Best First Film

 

• “Atlantics,” Mati Diop
• “Nom de la terre, Edouard Bergeon
• “Wolf’s Call,” Antonin Baudry
• “Les Miserables,” Ladj Ly
• “Papicha,” Mounia Meddour

Why was Atlantics relegated to this category when Best Film was available?!? And, speaking of, Mati Diop would have looked perfect in that director lineup.

Best Original Screenplay

 

• Nicolas Bedos, “La Belle Epoque”
• François Ozon, “By The Grace of God”
• Eric Toledano, Olivier Nakache, “The Specials”
• Ladj Ly, Giordano Gederlini, Alexis Manenti, “Les Miserables”
• Céline Sciamma, “Portrait Of A Lady On Fire”

You know our preference here. 

Best Adapted Screenplay

• Costa-Gavras, “Adults in the Room”
• Roman Polanski, Robert Harris, “An Officer and a Spy”
• Jeremy Clapin, Guillaume Laurent, “I Lost My Body”
• Arnaud Desplechin, Lea Mysius, “Oh Mercy”
• Dominik Moll, Gilles Marchand, “Seuls les bêtes”

Best Supporting Actress

Fanny!

• Fanny Ardant, “La Belle Époque”
• Josiane Balasko, “By The Grace of God”
• Laure Calamy, “Seules les Bêtes
”
• Sara Forestier, “Oh Mercy”
• Hélène Vincent, “The Specials”

Best Supporting Actor

Swann Arlaud

• Swann Arlaud, “By The Grace of God”
• Grégory Gadebois, “An Officer and a Spy”
• Louis Garrel, “An Officer and a Spy”
• Benjamin Lavernhe, “Mon Inconnue”
• Denis Ménochet, “By The Grace of God’

Best Female Newcomer

• Luàna Bajrami, “Portrait of a Young Lady on Fire”
• Céleste Brunnquell, “Les Éblouis”
• Lyna Khoudri, “Papicha”
• Nina Meurisse, “Camille”
• Mama Sané, “Atlantics”

Luana Bajrami is so terrific in Portrait  so it's nice to see her included here given that most of the praise usually goes to the romantic duet at the movie's center! 

Best Male Newcomer

Djebril Zonga

• Anthony Bajon, “Au Nom de la Terre”
• Benjamin Lesieur, “The Specials”
• Alexis Manenti, “Les Misérables”
• Liam Pierron, “La Vie Scolaire”
• Djebril Zonga, “Les Misérables”

Best Animated Feature

 

• “La Fameuse Invasion des Ours en Sicile,” Lorenzo Mattotti
• “Swallows of Kabul” Zabou Breitman
• “I Lost My Body,” Jérémy Clapin

Did you know that France is the world's third largest producer of animated content?!? Now you do! The US is number one but we're not sure which country comes in second. We learned that France was the third largest over at Cartoon Brew. 

Best Editing

• Anna Danché, Florent Vassault, “La belle époque”
• Laure Gardette, “By The Grace of God”
• Dorian Rigal-Ansous, “The Specials”
• Hervé de Luze, “An Officer and a Spy”
• Flora Volpeliere, “Les Miserables”

ARGH. How is Portrait of a Lady not here. The editing is amazing. 

Best Cinematography

 

• Nicolas Bolduc, “La Belle Epoque”
• Pawel Edelman, “An Officer and a Spy”
• Julien Poupard, “Les Miserables”
• Claire Mathon, ” Portrait of a Young Lady on Fire”
• Irina Lubtchansky “Oh Mercy”

Claire Mathon won this prize at the Lumieres. Will she repeat at the Césars?

Best Costumes

 Jean du Jardin in Chavanne costumes

• Emmanuelle Youchnoski, "La Belle Epoque"
• Thierry Delettre, "Cyrano My Love"
• Pascaline Chavanne, "An Officer and a Spy"
• Alexandra Charles, "Jeanne"
• Dorothee Guiraud, "Portrait of a Lady on Fire

We're not familiar with most of these designers but have long-loved Chavanne for his work with Christophe Honore and Francois Ozon. In addition to the Polanski film he also costumed By The Grace of God, Sorry Angel, and Proxima this past yeaer.

Best Production Design

 Cyrano My Love

• Stephane Rozenbaum, "La Belle Epoque"
• Benoit Barouh, "The Wolf's Call"
• Franck Schwarz, "Cyrano My Love"
• Jean Rabasse, "An Officer and a Spy"
• Thomas Grezaud, "Portrait of a Lady on Fire"

Best Original Score

• Fatima Al Qadiri, "Atlantics"
• Alexandre Desplate, "An Officer and a Spy"
• Dan Levy, "I Lost My Body"
• Marco Casanova & Kim Chapiron, "Les Miserables"
• Gregoire Hetzel, "Roubaix, Une Lumiere"

Best Sound

• "La Belle Epoque"
• "The Wolf's Call"
• "An Officer and a Spy"
• "Les Miserables"
• "Portrait of a Lady on Fire"

So if you've been keeping the track the nomination tally went like so

1. AN OFFICER AND A SPY - 12 nominations
2. LES MISERABLES / PORTRAIT OF A LADY ON FIRE  - 10 nominations
3. LA BELLE EPOQUE - 9 nominations
4. BY THE GRACE OF GOD / THE SPECIALS  - 8 nominations
5. OH MERCY - 6 nominations
6. ATLANTICS / I LOST MY BODY - 3 nominations
7. CYRANO MY LOVE - 2 nominations

It's perhaps worth noting that La Belle Epoque, An Officer and a Spy, and The Specials were released in France after the cutoff date for the Oscar submission eligibility (September 30th, 2019) this season so if France has an off 2020 you might hear these titles pop up again on their finalist list for the next Oscar season's submission options. 

Comments

[frankjp]

That's nominee Josiane Balasko in the picture with Swann Arlaud

[Me]

Samantha Geimer 100%, unequivocally, CORRECT. I'll mention this in an interview soon enough.

Les Misérables is one of the best movies of the year.

[Dave in Hollywood]

I consider myself a French cinema fan (I just watched Betty Blue again last night), but I don't know most of these names. Karin Viard has 13 nominations? I don't think I've ever even heard of her.

Am I the only one who thinks An Officer And A Spy sounds pretty boring?

[Rares]

yes, it is Josiane Balasko in the picture with Swann Arlaud, so maybe Nathaniel could add her name as well???
one more thing, in France all the press says there are 11 noms for Les Miserables and La Belle Epoque, so they are tied in 2nd place for the number of noms

[Paolo]

Djebril Zonga is nominated for Best Male Newcomer and I want him to no I won't finish that thought it's gross.

[Ben]

My guess at the number two country for animated is Japan with Studio Ghibli, but that is mostly a guess.

[Max]

Djebril Zonga is gorgeous. That's all.

[PP]

Polanski's movie is awesome. Hope you'll see it even in the US

[markgordonuk]

Love me some Fanny Ardant.

[thevoid99]

I wanna see Polanski's new film. I like his work and yes, Samantha Geimer is right.

What happened to the concept of forgiveness?

[Peggy Sue]

I love how the French got their own rhytims. Take note Bafta's! Not so happy with the 7 nominees per category.

Samantha is a remarkable woman. I'm team Les Misérables but J'accuse! is visually stunning without being too flashy. Impeccable work.

Rooting hard for Swann Arlaud and Balasko, the mother/son combo in the Ozon movie, which was very solid too.

[Owl]

I think Karin Viard has 12 nominations total: 6 for lead and another 6 for supporting. She's a wonderful actress and in some quarters in the French-speaking world, is considered one the best. At the rate she is getting nominated she will soon equal/surpass Deneuve and Huppert's records.

I like Grâce à Dieu a lot and the actors who played them were affecting and naturalistic: Poupaud, Balasko, Ménochet and especially Arlaud who was truly heartbreaking. Ozon's box office popularity and nominations never translated to a Cesar win despite winning the Lumières for 8 Women.

Merlant's win at the Lumières was lovely by thanking Sciamma and Haenel https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7rSoywRzsO0

[Peggy Sue]

Karin Viard is delicious in Jalouse.

[brookesboy]

It is so nice to see Costa-Gavras still working and receiving acclaim.

I see have some competition here in the courting of my future husband Djebril Zonga.

[whunk]

I get such a kick out of the fact that Viard basically got her career kick-started in Caro & Jeunet's brilliant "Delicatessen."

[Karin Viard]

A series devoted to French actresses without Huppert-Binoche-Cotillard in the mix is required.

[Glenn Dunks]

Swann ArlaudIs so good in BY THE GRACE OF GOD.

[Nick Davis]

I cannot ... even ... at all, with that low nomination count for Atlantics. Ridicule!

But I'm very pleased with all the attention to By the Grace of God, which I think is phenomenal, and which I'd probably vote for, even ahead of Portrait. Arlaud and Balasko are both grrreat.

[Dl]

"La Belle Époque" is such a beautifully made romantic dramedy. I'm elated that Fanny Ardant got in for Supporting Actress !

[cal roth]

Pascaline Chavanne is a woman.

[Charlie]

Quick fix :

LES MISERABLES - 12 nominations (it's nominated for the César du Public = Best Popular Film. The 5 nominated films are the 5 biggest French hits of the year at French BO)
LA BELLE EPOQUE - 11 nominations
THE SPECIALS - 9 nominations (it's also nominated for the César du Public)
OH MERCY - 7 nominations

[Charlie]

Just like the Oscars this year, I think it's the first time we have 4 films with double-digit nominations.

[Edward L.]

I always love following the Césars - they are such a good window into French movies each year, and they always include something I haven't heard of.

I can't wait to see Les Misérables, Portrait of a Lady on Fire and An Officer and a Spy (called J'accuse in France). Like thevoid99, I think Samantha Geimer is right and I too wonder where forgiveness has gone. Perhaps people have an extra issue with Polanski because, as well as the heinous crime he committed, he remains a fugitive. Even so, it's a complex case and it attracts a range of responses.

[PP]

@Edward L.-I invite you to read his autobiography Polanski by Polanski. He talks even about the period when that episode happened

[Edward L.]

PP: Thanks - I read it probably thirty years ago! It's a fascinating insight into his life and career, albeit written in the 1980s. (Title: Roman by Polanski.)

[Chinoiserie]

Sad that Polanski is still getting changes.