Italian
France’s Oscar contender: ’Emilia Perez’ takes center stage
A thrilling tale of redemption
France’s Oscar committee has chosen Jacques Audiard’s “Emilia Perez” as its representative for the international feature film category. This exhilarating redemption thriller has already made waves, winning two major awards at the Cannes Film Festival and receiving rave reviews. The film stars Karla Sofía Gascón as a fearsome drug lord who embraces her true self as a woman. The Spanish-language film earned one of Cannes’s longest standing ovations and went on to win the Jury Prize, presided over by Greta Gerwig, and a Best Actress Prize for the ensemble cast, including Gascón, Zoe Saldaña, Selena Gomez, and Adriana Paz. The movie was acquired by Netflix for the U.S. and the U.K. following its Cannes premiere.
Audiard’s legacy and the competition
Jacques Audiard is a revered French auteur who previously won a Palme d’Or with “Dheepan” and was nominated for a foreign-language Oscar with “A Prophet” starring Tahar Rahim. Despite “Emilia Perez” seeming like a clear choice to represent France, it faced stiff competition. The movie was one of four shortlisted by France’s Oscar committee, alongside “The Count of Monte Cristo”, “All We Imagine as Light”, and “Misericordia”.
“The Count of Monte Cristo”, adapted from Alexandre Dumas’ classic, has been a box office hit in France, selling over 8 million tickets since its June release and garnering critical praise since its world premiere at Cannes. “Emilia Perez” has sold 750,000 tickets in France since its release on August 21 by Pathé, which also distributed “The Count of Monte Cristo”.
The selection process
The selection was conducted in two rounds by a new Oscar committee presided over by Charles Tesson, the former artistic director of Cannes’ Critics Week. The committee, appointed for two years, includes notable figures such as “Emmanuelle” director Audrey Diwan, who won Venice’s Golden Lion with “Happening” in 2021, and critically acclaimed French playwright, director, and producer Florian Zeller (“The Father”). Other members include former Lionsgate boss Patrick Wachsberger, international sales veterans Carole Baraton from Charades, and Gregoire Melin from Kinology, 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, and actor Clemence Poesy.
The audition and the aftermath
Producers, sales agents, and U.S. distributors of all four shortlisted films were auditioned by the committee. The committee was expanded from seven to 11 members and five alternates earlier this year after backlash over the “Anatomy of a Fall” snub. While “All We Imagine as Light” wasn’t chosen to represent France, the movie’s Indian co-producers have submitted it for consideration to the Oscar committee in India.
“Emilia Perez”, meanwhile, will be pushed by Netflix in most major categories at the Oscars, including director, film, and actress, beyond the international feature one. Audiard’s movie just had buzzy North American premieres at Telluride and Toronto and will next open the American French Film Festival in Los Angeles as part of a red-carpet event presented in association with Netflix on October 29.
A personal reflection
As a cinema enthusiast, the selection of “Emilia Perez” is a testament to the evolving landscape of international cinema. Audiard’s ability to weave complex narratives with rich character development is unparalleled. The film’s exploration of identity and redemption resonates deeply, making it a strong contender on the global stage. The ensemble cast, led by Karla Sofía Gascón, delivers powerful performances that elevate the film’s emotional depth.
For those who appreciate the art of storytelling, “Emilia Perez” is a must-watch. Its success at Cannes and the subsequent buzz highlight the film’s impact and potential to captivate audiences worldwide. As we look forward to the Oscars, it will be interesting to see how this film fares against other international contenders.
In the realm of cinema, where stories transcend borders and cultures, “Emilia Perez” stands out as a beacon of artistic excellence. Whether you are a fan of Audiard’s previous works or new to his filmography, this movie promises an unforgettable cinematic experience.
