Controversial French film Emilia Perez scoops seven trophies at César ceremony

Issued on: 01/03/2025 – 15:14

3 min

“Thank you for finding me!” declared 72-year-old Audiard, after receiving his prize from the hands of French director Justine Triet, crowned last year for Anatomy of a Fall.

Audiard’s musical, Emilia Perez, about a Mexican drug cartel boss who transitions to life as a woman, has had a winning streak on the awards circuit, but not without a dose of controversy.

Praised at the Cannes Film Festival where it was awarded the jury prize and a collective award for its four leading actresses, the film then earned a record for a non-English-speaking production of 13 Oscar nominations. Its fate will be decided in Hollywood on Sunday.

Bought by Netflix prior to Cannes, it won big at the Golden Globes earlier this year and picked up two Bafta awards last week in London.

But award prospects were jeopardised when racist tweets from lead trans Spanish actress Karla Sofia Gascon emerged, compounding criticism of the movie’s Mexican cliches and use of artificial intelligence.

French musical Emilia Perez wins Spanish film prize amid rising scandal

Gascon, who was nominated for the César for best actress, like Zoé Saldana, was present at the César ceremony on Friday night.

“I loved working with you, I love you,” declared Audiard to his team. The director is now one of the most awarded filmmakers in the history of the César, after his trophies for Of Rust and Bone, The Sisters Brothers, A Prophet or The Beat of My Heart Stopped.

Emilia Perez’ composers Camille and Clément Ducol were rewarded for the film’s music score.

Dedicated to Ukraine

The 50th edition of the ceremony was dedicated to Ukraine by its president, Catherine Deneuve, who wore a badge in the colours of Kyiv on her dress.

European leaders will convene in London on Sunday to shore up support for “securing a just and enduring peace” in Ukraine, after the US warned it would pull back on military aid.

Among the happy César winners was the Guinean Abou Sangaré, who scored best upcoming actor for his role as a bicycle deliveryman in L’histoire de Souleymane (The Story of Souleymane). The low-budget film, directed by Boris Lojkine won four Césars, including best original screenplay and best supporting actress for Nina Meurisse.

23-year-old Sangaré, who only just recently was able to obtain a temporary visa to stay in France, thanked the audience.

“Thank you for your integration into humanity,” he said, adding that after arriving in France, “I almost had no more life, I no longer considered myself a human being”.

The double life of Abou Sangaré, undocumented migrant and Cannes award winner

Maïwène Barthélémy, a young farmer, was selected for the prize of best upcoming actress in Vingt Dieux (Twenty Gods), by Louise Courvoisier, who also won best first feature film.

However, there were some surprises. One of the most popular hits of the year, The Count of Monte Cristo was originally in the lead for the 2025 Césars with 14 nominations.

Directed by Matthieu Delaporte and Alexandre de la Patellière, it was a box-office hit, drawing 9.4 million spectators in France last year.

However, it only walked away with two awards for best costumes and decor.

Life as a dream

Karim Leklou won best actor for his role as a fragile man and adopted father in Le Roman de Jim (Jim’s novel) by Arnaud and Jean-Marie Larrieu. He paid tribute to “all the nice guys, all the guys who usually don’t get to hold a Cesar”.

Best actress went to Hafsia Herzi for her role in Borgo by Stéphane Demoustier.

Best foreign film went to Jonathan Glazer’s The Zone of Interest.

American star Julia Roberts brought a touch of glamor to the evening. “Today, my life is a dream!”, said the 57-year-old star, with her trademark smile, after being presented with her honorary César by Clive Owen, who starred with her in the Mike Nichols film Closer, in 2005.

A second honorary award was given to Greek-French director Costa-Gavras, who at 93, has just released his 20th film Le Dernière Souffle (The Last Breath).

(with AFP)