The 49th César Awards: “The Animal Kingdom” and “Anatomy of a Fall” Reign Supreme

The French film industry gathered its finest talents to celebrate the 49th César Awards, with Thomas Cailley’s supernatural drama “The Animal Kingdom” and Justine Triet’s Palme d’Or-winning “Anatomy of a Fall” emerging as frontrunners. These two cinematic masterpieces captivated the César Academy members with their compelling narratives and exceptional artistry, earning a combined 23 nominations, including nods for Best Film, Best Director, and Best Actress.

“The Animal Kingdom” and “Anatomy of a Fall”: A Tale of Two Contenders

“The Animal Kingdom,” a thought-provoking film that breaks free from France’s traditional social realism, presents a dystopian world teeming with fantastical creatures while delving into the poignant relationship between a father (Romain Duris) and son (Paul Kircher). Its exploration of contemporary concerns about humanity’s future resonated deeply with the César Academy members, securing 12 nominations, including Best Film, Best Director for Thomas Cailley, and Best Actor for Romain Duris.

Justine Triet’s “Anatomy of a Fall,” a gripping drama that earned five Oscar nominations, centers around a novelist (Sandra Hüller) facing trial for the mysterious death of her husband. The film’s intricate storytelling and Hüller’s powerful performance captivated audiences, earning 11 nominations, including Best Film, Best Director for Triet, and Best Actress for Hüller.

Other Notable Contenders and Honorary Awards

Alongside “The Animal Kingdom” and “Anatomy of a Fall,” several other films made a strong showing in the César Awards nominations. Jeanne Herry’s “All Your Faces,” a poignant exploration of restorative justice, received 10 nominations, including Best Film and Best Director for Herry. Cédric Khan’s “The Goldman Case,” based on the 1976 trial of Pierre Goldman, garnered 9 nominations, including Best Film and Best Director for Khan.

In recognition of their contributions to the world of cinema, renowned filmmaker Christopher Nolan and beloved French actor, screenwriter, and filmmaker Agnès Jaoui were honored with honorary César Awards. Their exceptional work has left an indelible mark on the industry, inspiring generations of filmmakers and captivating audiences worldwide.

Full List of César Awards Nominations

Best Film

– “Anatomy of a Fall,” Justine Triet
– “Junkyard Dog,” Jean-Baptiste Durand
– “All Your Faces,” Jeanne Herry
– “The Goldman Case,” Cédric Kahn
– “The Animal Kingdom,” Thomas Cailley

Best Director

– Justine Triet, “Anatomy of a Fall”
– Catherine Breillat, “Last Summer”
– Jeanne Herry, “All Your Faces”
– Cédric Kahn, “The Goldman Case”
– Thomas Cailley, “The Animal Kingdom”

Best Actress

– Marion Cotillard, “Little Blue Girl”
– Léa Drucker, “Last Summer”
– Virginie Efira, “Just The Two Of Us”
– Hafsia Herzi, “The Rapture”
– Sandra Hüller, “Anatomy of a Fall”

Best Actor

– Romain Duris, “The Animal Kingdom”
– Benjamin Lavernhe, “L’Abbé Pierre – A Century of Devotion”
– Melvil Poupaud, “Just The Two Of Us”
– Raphaël Quenard, “Yannik”
– Arieh Worthalter, “The Goldman Case”

Best Supporting Actor

– Leila Bekhti, “All Your Faces”
– Galatea Bellugi, “Junkyard Dog”
– Élodie Bouchez, “All Your Faces”
– Adèle Exarchopoulos, “All Your Faces”
– Miou Miou, “All Your Faces”

Best Supporting Actor

– Swann Arlaud, “Anatomy Of A Fall”
– Anthony Bajon, Junkyard Dog
– Arthur Harari, “The Goldman Case”
– Pio Marmaï, “Yannick”
– Antoine Reinartz, “Anatomy of a Fall”

Female Revelation

– Celeste Brunnquell, “No Love Lost”
– Kim Higelin, “Consent”
– Suzanne Jouannet, “The Royal Way”
– Rebecca Marder, “Grand Expectations”
– Ella Rumpf, “Marguerite’s Theorem”

Male Revelation

– Julien Frison, “Marguerite’s Theorem”
– Paul Kircher, “The Animal Kingdom”
– Samuel Kircher, “Last Summer”
– Milo Machado Graner, “Anatomy of a Fall”
– Raphaël Quenard, “Junkyard Dog”

Best Original Screenplay

– Justine Triet, Arthur Harari, “Anatomy of a Fall”
– Jean-Baptiste Durand, “Junkyard Dog”
– Jeanne Herry, “All Your Faces”
– Nathalie Hertzberg, Cédric Khan, “The Goldman Case”
– Thomas Cailley, Pauline Munier, “The Animal Kingdom”

Best Adapted Screenplay

– Valérie Donzelli, Audrey Diwan, “Just The Two Of Us”
– Vanessa Filho, “Consent”
– Catherine Breillat, “Last Summer”

Witness the Cinematic Triumph

The 49th César Awards ceremony promises to be a dazzling celebration of French cinema, honoring the extraordinary talents who have crafted these captivating stories. As the nominees eagerly await the announcement of the winners, the world watches in anticipation of the crowning achievements in French filmmaking.