From the Oscars to the Césars, Anatomy of a fall in the face of one's destiny this week

Will the Hollywood daydream of Justine Triet and her producers continue or come to an abrupt halt? Tuesday at 2:30 p.m., Anatomy of a Fall will be set for its fate at the Oscars, which will reveal their nominations.

The Palme d'Or cannot be nominated in the best international film category, since the CNC preferred to submit the candidacy of the culinary fresco La Passion by Dodin Bouffant, with Juliette Binoche and Benoît Magimel. But the trial film is eligible for all other general categories.

Its triumph in several ceremonies organized by critics' associations, including the Golden Globes, the nominations already obtained for the Bafta, the English Cesar, and the PGA Awards, the American producers' guild, suggest that the film, supported by the very effective distributor Neon, can hope to be selected in the best film, original screenplay sections.

And perhaps in the best editing and best actress sections for Sandra Hüller even if the competition is tough. Natalie Portman (May December), Annette Bening (Unsinkable) and Greta Lee (Past Lives) also covet a place against the essentials that are Margot Robbie (Barbie), Carey Mulligan (Maestro), Emma Stone (Poor Creatures) and Lily Gladstone ( Killers Of The Flower Moon). It is these last two contenders who are currently the favorites of the forecasters.

Breaking into the best director category seems more difficult for Justine Triet, who led a rigorous campaign, multiplying screenings and interviews across the Atlantic. Christopher Nolan (Oppenheimer), Martin Scorsese (Killers Of The Flower Moon), Greta Gerwig (Barbie), Alexander Payne (Winter Break), Jonathan Glazer (The Zone of Interest) form the quinté most often cited by Variety experts and Hollywood Reporter.

Also read: From Cannes to the Oscars, the extraordinary trajectory of Anatomy of a Fall

Any Oscar nomination would have a taste of revenge for Justine Triet, who in May became the third director in history to win the Palme d'Or at Cannes. And for the “cultural exception”, which she had ardently defended, attacking the French government.

Whatever the outcome of the Oscars, the night will be short for the film team, who will be watching from Wednesday morning for the César nominations, revealed at 10 a.m. Anatomy of a Fall should feature prominently in the votes of the 4,705 film professionals who make up the Academy.

Last year, the results of the votes caused a stir: no film by a female director was nominated in the “best director” category. Tonie Marshall remains the only director in the history of French cinema to have been crowned, for Vénus Beauté (institut)... in 2000. Will Justine Triet, at 45, become the second?

Among the other directors who marked the year 2023, Valérie Donzelli with Love and the Forests, on the influence of the couple, carried by Virginie Efira and Melvil Poupaud. And Vanessa Filho with Le Consentement, inspired by the Matzneff affair. The film, with Jean-Paul Rouve and Kim Higelin, was a hit with teenagers thanks to social networks.

For once, the Césars could honor a fantastic film, The Animal Kingdom by Thomas Cailley, which won over audiences and critics. Romain Duris and Paul Kircher play a father and son who find themselves in a near future where humans have started to mutate into animal creatures. “The Goldman Trial”, by Cédric Kahn, could also find a place.

Popularity in theaters offers no guarantee: nominations would be a surprise for the biggest popular hits of the year, Asterix and Obelix: The Middle Kingdom, the comedy Alibi.com 2 or The Three Musketeers: D'Artagnan .

The members of the Academy will have one month to vote, before the ceremony is held on February 23 at the Olympia, in Paris, chaired by Valérie Lemercier. Honorary Césars will be awarded to actress and director Agnès Jaoui and American-British filmmaker Christopher Nolan. The evening will be a baptism of fire for the new Minister of Culture, Rachida Dati.