Best Film went to “The Night of the 12th”, a thriller based totally on the real story of a younger woman’s murder..
There used to be a spot of Hollywood glitz thanks to a shock cameo by way of Brad Pitt, imparting David Fincher (who directed him in “Fight Club” and “Seven”) with a lifetime fulfillment award.
But there used to be a lot of center of attention on the lack of woman nominees, with no female up for first-rate director — indeed, none have received the award considering that 2000 (Tonie Marshall for “Venus Beauty Institute”).
The solely girl filmmaker whose film used to be in the going for walks for great movie used to be Valeria Bruni Tedeschi, sister of France’s former first girl and singer Carla Bruni.
And her film, “Les Amandiers” (titled “Forever Young” abroad) has been overshadowed by means of a scandal involving its star, Sofiane Bennacer, who is being investigated by way of police following allegations of rape and violence towards a partner.
“I’m wondering of all the ladies administrators who need to have been celebrated tonight,” stated Noemie Merlant as she generic the exceptional helping actress award for her phase in “The Innocent”.
“I am lacking them,” delivered Merlant, who received worldwide interest in 2019’s “Portrait of a Lady on Fire”.
There have been some different victories for women.
Alice Diop gained first-rate debut for “Saint Omer” and informed the audience: “We are no longer simply passing through, and we are now not simply a fad.
“The voice of ladies is extraordinarily important. I hope we will be here once more subsequent 12 months and the years after that,” she said.
Irene Dresel grew to be the first girl ever to win the Cesar for fine musical rating for “Full Time” and committed her award to all ladies composers, who have solely ever been nominated 5 instances at the Cesars.
The difficulty of female nominees was once all the extra awkward given that the Cesar Academy went thru a root-and-branch renewal in 2020 after Roman Polanski, who has been convicted of raping a infant in the 1970s, topped the listing of nominees and received fantastic director, triggering indignant protests.
It’s no longer that France lacks woman talent: French ladies administrators have taken pinnacle prizes at Cannes, Berlin and Venice in the final two years.
“Last year, the Oscar Academy was once criticised for having a decision that used to be so white, and this yr for being so male. The 2023 Cesars mix each sorts of invisibility,” stated the 50/50 Collectif, which campaigns for extended lady illustration in French cinema.
Meanwhile, fantastic actor went to Benoit Magimel for “Pacifiction” and high-quality actress to Virginie Efira for “Paris Memories”.
But the night time belonged to “The Night of the 12th” which received a complete of six awards, consisting of first-rate director for Dominik Moll.