50th César Awards Celebrate French Cinema's Golden Era
Image credits: BENOIT TESSIER / REUTERS
The 50th César Awards, France's most prestigious film awards, took place on February 28, 2025, at the iconic Olympia theater in Paris. The ceremony, presided over by the legendary actress Catherine Deneuve, celebrated the best of French cinema, with Emilia Pérez winning a total of 7 awards, including Best Film and Best Director. The film, directed by Jacques Audiard, tells the story of a Mexican narco who undergoes a sex change, and its victory was met with both acclaim and controversy.
The ceremony was attended by a plethora of French and international stars, including Pierre Niney, François Civil, Adèle Exarchopoulos, and Zoe Saldaña. The awards were distributed across various categories, with Emilia Pérez dominating the night, but other films, such as Roman de Jim and L'Histoire de Souleymane, also receiving notable awards. The César for Best Actor was awarded to Karim Leklou for his role in Roman de Jim, while Hafsia Herz won the César for Best Actress for her performance in Borgo.
The 50th César Awards also paid tribute to the veteran Greek-French director Costa-Gavras, who received a César d'Honneur for his lifetime achievements. The ceremony was marked by political undertones, with Catherine Deneuve dedicating the evening to Ukraine, and the master of ceremonies, Jean-Pascal Zadi, making references to the current global situation. The awards also recognized the work of emerging talents, such as Abou Sangaré, who won the César for Best Newcomer for his role in L'Histoire de Souleymane.
The list of winners included:
- Best Film: Emilia Pérez
- Best Director: Jacques Audiard for Emilia Pérez
- Best Actor: Karim Leklou for Roman de Jim
- Best Actress: Hafsia Herz for Borgo
- Best Newcomer: Abou Sangaré for L'Histoire de Souleymane
- César d'Honneur: Costa-Gavras
The ceremony took place just two days before the Oscars, and the winners of the César Awards will undoubtedly be watched closely by the American film industry. The 50th César Awards were a testament to the enduring power of French cinema, and its ability to produce films that are both critically acclaimed and commercially successful. With its unique blend of artistry and entertainment, French cinema continues to captivate audiences around the world, and the César Awards remain one of the most prestigious honors in the film industry.
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