The cinemas may be closed and the new releases indefinitely, the race towards the award season has indeed started.
French cinema has put itself in order of battle.
The National Center for Cinema and Animated Image (CNC) revealed on Thursday the list of five films among which it will designate the feature film that will represent France at the 2021 Oscars.
In this preselection are three works that have received the Cannes 2020 label:
ADN
the semi-autobiographical story of Maïwenn where she questions her Algerian roots, whose theatrical exploitation was stopped dead by the second confinement, and the broken romance of
Summer. 85
by François Ozon.
Gagarin
by Fanny Liatard and Jérémy Trouilh is also in the game.
The drama that should have come out on November 18 chronicles Yuri's fight to save his city.
The 16-year-old boy grew up in Gagarin, a huge city of red bricks in Ivry-sur-Seine, where he dreams of becoming a cosmonaut.
When he learns that she is threatened with demolition, Youri decides to return to resistance.
The Selection Commission also surprised by retaining the underdog
Two
of Filippo Meneghetti.
Released last February, this story about the secret loves of two women in their sixties is filmed like a thriller.
Target of unjustified relentlessness across the Atlantic due to a Netflix marketing error,
Mignonnes
by Maïmouna Doucouré is also in the running.
The drama about a schoolgirl, wedged between the prejudices of her family and the sassy mores of her girlfriends, will try to make people forget the controversy mounted on the sexualization of her pre-teen heroines.
In any case, its presence on Netflix gives it enormous visibility in the United States.
First step on a long road to a possible appointment
This preselection is only the first step.
The committee will meet on November 19, 2020 to hear the producer, international seller and US distributor of each shortlisted film.
At the end of these interviews, the committee will designate the film that will bear the colors of France.
The lucky winner will then have to win the votes and favors of the members of the selection committee for the Oscar for best international film.
Of the hundred films from around the world and submitted to the judgment of these members of the Oscars, they will keep nine.
Then, all the voters of the Academy of Oscars will vote.
Will be nominated and can hope to leave with the trophy the five films having arrived at the top of the votes.
The CNC commission is made up this year of filmmakers Mati Diop (Atlantique) and Olivier Nakache (Hors-Normes), producers Marc du Pontavice and Anne-Dominique Toussaint and exporters Carole Baraton and Juliette Schrameck, accompanied by the three ex officio members are Thierry Frémaux (Deputy Managing Director of the Cannes Film Festival), Serge Toubiana (President of Unifrance) and Véronique Cayla (President of the Académie des César).
Equal female directors
Their 2021 preselection leaves aside the public successes of the marivaudage
The things we say, the things we do
by Emmanuel Mouret and the comedy
Antoinette in the Cévennes
by Caroline Vignal.
But this list, it must be emphasized, gives pride of place to female directors who are at par.
Diversity is also preserved.
Two important criteria as the Oscars began a profound metamorphosis to rejuvenate, feminize, internationalize its members and better represent African-American, Asian, Latino and LGBT talents.
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the 93rd Oscars ceremony has been postponed until April 25, 2021. The Caesars are also likely to shift.