'Monte-Cristo' and 'Emilia Perez' frontrunners at France's Cesar film awards

The home-made hit "The Count of Monte Cristo" topped the nominations released Wednesday for the Cesars, France's version of the Oscars, followed closely by international awards season front-runner "Emilia Perez."

"The Count of Monte Cristo," a big-budget French adaptation of Alexandre Dumas's epic novel, was the second most watched film in French cinemas last year and leads the Cesars nominations with 14.

Lead actor Pierre Niney is the front-runner in the best actor category but faces competition from Francois Civil, who starred in the romantic drama hit of the year, "Amour Ouf" ("Beating Hearts"), which received 13 nominations.

"Emilia Perez," directed by Frenchman Jacques Audiard and the most-nominated film for the Oscars, was picked in 12 categories for the Caesars, including best film and best director.

"Emilia Perez" was picked in 12 categories for the Cesars, including best film and best director.Instagram

The surreal musical odyssey about a narco boss who transitions to life as a woman shattered the record for the most Academy Award nominations for a non-English-language film last week, with 13 Oscar nominations.

According to the shortlist unveiled on January 15, it was also the second-most nominated film for Britain's BAFTA awards, behind Vatican thriller "Conclave."

Migration politics

The Cesars will be handed out in Paris on February 28 at a ceremony hosted by Jean-Pascal Zadi, who starred in a hit 2021 satire about racial politics called "Tout Simplement Noir" ("Simply Black").

This edition will mark the 50th year of the Cesars, which, like the Oscars, are frequently involved in political issues of the day.
"L'Histoire de Souleymane" ("Souleymane's Story"), an arthouse production recounting the struggles of an undocumented food delivery cyclist in Paris, emerged as a strong awards contender, with four nominations, including best film and best director.

It comes amid rising support for far-right political parties in France and follows a recent tightening of immigration rules by hard-line Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau to make it more difficult for foreigners to gain work documents.

The film's star, Abou Sangare, was an undocumented migrant from Guinea with no previous acting experience when director Boris Lojkine chose him at a casting call.

The 23-year-old was nominated for a Cesar in the breakthrough male actor category, while co-star Nina Meurisse was nominated as best actress.

Sangare, the subject of a deportation order, only recently obtained a work permit to stay in France legally as a mechanic.
This month, he told the Liberation newspaper that he intended to take up a job in a garage rather than pursue a career in film.

"There might be offers but I'm a mechanic, that's my trade," he said.

The winners of the Cesars are picked by the 4,951 members of the Cesars Academy.