France’s national film board revamps Oscar committee
A new era for French cinema
France’s National Film Board has recently unveiled its revamped and expanded Oscar committee, now presided over by Charles Tesson, the former artistic director of Cannes’ Critics Week. This move marks a significant shift in the way France approaches its Oscar submissions, aiming to bring fresh perspectives and a more diverse range of voices to the decision-making process.
A star-studded committee
The new committee boasts an impressive lineup of industry heavyweights. Among them is Audrey Diwan, the director of “Emmanuelle,” who won Venice’s Golden Lion with “Happening” in 2021. Joining her is the critically acclaimed playwright, director, and producer Florian Zeller, known for “The Father.” The committee also includes former Lionsgate boss Patrick Wachsberger, international sales veterans Carole Baraton from Charades and Gregoire Melin from Kinology, and powerful French distributor Michèle Halberstadt from ARP Selection.
Producers Rosalie Varda (“Faces Places”) from Ciné-Tamaris, Nadim Cheikhroua (“Olfa’s Daughters”), and David Thion (“Anatomy of a Fall”) at Les Films Pelléas, along with actor Clemence Poesy, round out the committee. This diverse group brings a wealth of experience and a variety of perspectives to the table, ensuring a well-rounded selection process.
The challenge ahead
Appointed by France’s culture minister, Rachida Dati, the committee faces the daunting task of selecting the French film that will best represent the country at the Oscars. This is no small feat, as France has not won an Oscar for best international feature in over three decades. The committee was expanded from seven to 11 members and five alternates earlier this year, following backlash over the “Anatomy of a Fall” snub. Unlike in previous years, members will now serve for a duration of two years.
Ensuring impartiality
The idea behind this enlarged pool of voters is to ensure that decisions are not guided by personal or professional interests. The committee will convene tomorrow, September 11, to select the three-to-five movies that will be part of the shortlist. They will then have a second meeting next Wednesday, September 18, to audition the producers, international sales agents, and U.S. distributors of the shortlisted films. Following the auditions, they will vote on the same day to choose France’s Oscar submissions.
The contenders
This year is already shaping up to be highly competitive. The frontrunner appears to be Jacques Audiard’s “Emilia Perez,” an exhilarating redemption thriller that won two major awards at the Cannes Film Festival. You can watch the trailer for Emilia Perez to get a sense of its gripping narrative and stunning visuals.
Another strong contender is ”The Count of Monte Cristo,” a sweeping three-hour epic adventure film adapted from Alexandre Dumas’ classic. This film has smashed the French box office, selling over 8 million tickets so far. Check out the trailer for The Count of Monte Cristo to see why it has captivated audiences.
Alain Guiraudie’s ”Misericorde,” which premiered at Cannes and is playing at a flurry of festivals this fall, is also a potential title for the shortlist. The trailer for Misericorde offers a glimpse into its thought-provoking storyline and compelling characters.
A personal reflection
As a cinema enthusiast, it’s thrilling to see such a diverse and talented group of individuals come together to select France’s Oscar submission. The inclusion of various industry veterans and fresh voices promises a more balanced and fair selection process. The films in contention this year are all remarkable in their own right, each offering something unique to the cinematic landscape.
The revamped committee and the competitive lineup of films signal a promising future for French cinema on the international stage. Whether it’s the gripping narrative of “Emilia Perez,” the epic adventure of “The Count of Monte Cristo,” or the thought-provoking storyline of “Misericorde,” there’s no doubt that France’s Oscar submission will be a film of exceptional quality.
the true winner is the audience, who gets to experience these incredible stories brought to life by some of the most talented filmmakers in the industry. So, grab your popcorn, sit back, and enjoy the magic of French cinema.