It is under fire from critics. A few hours before the announcement, Wednesday January 29, of the nominations for the César 2020, which will be presented on February 28, the president of the Academy of cinema arts and techniques, Alain Terzian is described by some as the indestructible " sponsor ”of a“ mafia ”. Behind the scenes, many are indignant that the decisions concerning the choice of the presidents of the Césars, the handing over of the trophies of French cinema or the voting rules are the sole responsibility of the Academy office. Last controversy to date, the choice of godfathers and godmothers of those named for the revelations, who disappointed more than one. At the head of the Césars since 2003, Alain Terzian defends himself.
Why did you refuse to allow Claire Denis and Virginie Despentes to be godmothers during the César revelations evening?
ALAIN TERZIAN . We never refused anything, nor excluded anyone. There was a mess, which I assume. When we created this evening ten years ago, we wanted each "revelation" to be accompanied by an actor or an actress that would allow it to project itself twenty years later. During this evening, moreover, photos are taken and these are all the more taken up in the media as they show famous actors and actresses with these young artists. Over the years, we have accepted a few directors as sponsors. But this year, we already had seven or eight directors when we were offered the names of Claire Denis and Virginie Despentes, so we didn't immediately accept… That said, the day before the evening, we confirmed that everyone was invited and welcome. Claire Denis is a wonderful director and Virginie Despentes, a monument of literature… I apologize to them for this series of misunderstandings.
During this dinner, several directors and actors denounced an absence of democracy and an opacity which would be demonstrated by the Académie des César. And the Société des Réalisateurs Français is wondering about the choice of Caesar awardees or personalities who receive an Honorary Caesar…
Who chooses the remitters? The mistress or the master of ceremonies, in agreement with the Academy and Canal +, who produce the evening together. Who designates the winner of the César d'honneur? Members of the Academy's board of directors. All these choices are made during perfectly collegial discussions, in complete transparency. Perhaps we have not communicated enough about the functioning of the Academy. But I have chaired several organizations, I have spent my life, in the cinema, being the interlocutor of each other: my door has always been open.
Revelations on the functioning of the Cesar Academy: @ LaSRF1968 reacts in a press release👉 @Les_Cesar # César2020 @lefilmfrancais @lemondefr @Telerama pic.twitter.com/vBzcyJ5X4j
- LaSRF (@ LaSRF1968) January 13, 2020Several film personalities regretted a “self-esteem” within the Académie des César and a non-renewal of its office…
Newsletter - The essentials of the news
Every morning, the news seen by Le ParisienI'm registering
Your email address is collected by Le Parisien to allow you to receive our news and commercial offers. Find out more
However, every five years, the members of the Academy's general assembly elect the board of directors, which itself elects the president. It has also been said that the Césars were a private company in which I would be the sole shareholder: this is perfectly false! The Académie des César is governed by a non-profit association and I made sure, when I was appointed president following the tragic death of Daniel Toscan du Plantier in 2003, to respect the wishes of the founding fathers . Georges Cravenne, the founder of the Césars, then Daniel Toscan du Plantier, were the successive owners of the private company which marketed the broadcasting rights for the ceremony. When I arrived, the association bought the production company from Daniel's heirs. I don't own anything at all: on the contrary, I made the Academy a cinema!
So you are not the lifetime president of the Caesars?
No, I don't see why I should be president for life ... I did restructuring work in full compliance with the statutes, regulations and history of the Academy. If you consider that I have done a good job, I do not see why it should be broken. And if some people want to criticize and build another showcase for the cinema, let them invent something and I will be delighted to applaud them!