Sunday, February 27, 2005

Outsiders win French César awards

"L'esquive", the second film from director/actor Abdellatif Kechiche was the surprise winner of four awards at the 30th César film awards in Paris on Saturday night. In addition to being awarded best Screenplay, it also picked up awards for Best Director, Best Film and Best Female Newcomer (Sara Forestier). "L'esquive" was up against heavyweights such as "A Very Long Engagement", thriller "36, Quai des Orfèvres" and "Les Choristes".

The script for "L'esquive" had been shopped for a total of 13 years, and was finally produced on a comparatively small budget by Lola Films and Noé Productions. It tells the story of a group of immigrant youths from the suburbs that are studying the classical author Marivaux. Kechiche's previous film was the 2000 "La faute à Voltaire".

In another surprise win, Belgian actress Yolande Moreau picked up the Best Actress Award and her almost no-budget movie "Quand la mer monte" Best First Film.

Best foreign film at the Césars went to "Lost in Translation", while Ken Loach's "Just a Kiss" and Emir Kusturica's "Life is a Miracle" tied as the best film from the European Union.

L'Esquive (4 Césars 2005) on Amazon Fr

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