'A Prophet' takes best picture at 35th annual César awards

“A Prophet”, a film about prison life directed by Jacques Audiard (pictured), won the best film prize Saturday at the 35th annual César awards, along with a string of other top awards at the French film industry’s most important night.

Director Jacques Audiard’s “A Prophet”, a film about prison life, swept the board at the 35th annual César awards late Saturday, taking best film, best director, best actor, best newcomer and best cinematography, along with a string of other prizes at the French film industry’s equivalent of the Oscars.

The film, a gritty prison drama that follows the trajectory of an illiterate man as he enters the prison and follows him through his resulting brutal re-education, was widely tipped to take the top prize.

"The Prophet" won almost everything it was up for, certainly the top awards. - Lisa Nesselson, FRANCE 24's film critic

“The film won almost everything it was up for” said Lisa Nesselson, FRANCE24’s film critic, reporting from the Chatelet theatre in Paris, where the award ceremony was held. The reasons, according to Nesselson, were fairy evident. “It’s a French film with a French cast and crew making the kind of movie that Hollywood is really famous for. I think there’s nothing like a home grown talent beating the Americans at one of the things they do best.”

Audiard won best director and newcomer Tahar Rahim, who played the lead, won best actor as well as most promising newcomer of the year.

Isabelle Adjani wins fifth award for best actress

The best actress award went to veteran French film icon Isabelle Adjani for her portrayal of a teacher confronting a crisis in "La journee de la jupe" (Skirt Day).

“This was her fifth César for best actress,” said Nesselson, referring to Adjani. “She hasn’t won an award since 1995, but then she hasn’t made many movies since then.”
Hollywood star Harrison Ford received a special lifetime achievement award, which was presented to him by Hollywood actress Sigourney Weaver.

In his acceptance speech, a visibly moved Ford paid tribute to the French New Wave cinema movement, which he said had transformed cinema just as he was starting out in the business.

This year’s mistress of ceremonies was Marion Cotillard, winner of two Césars and an Oscar, and the latest French actress to find success across the Atlantic. She was flanked by popular French entertainers, Valérie Lemercier and Gad Elmaleh, who added a touch of comedy to the evening’s proceedings.