"Storm in a glass of water", "little crisis"? One month before the ceremony, in any case, one thing is certain: it is rocking around the Caesars whose nominations will be announced this Wednesday. It was at the traditional “revelation dinner”, which brought together on January 13 the 36 young actors named for the “hope” categories, that the first tremors were felt.
That evening, Cédric Klapisch, Michel Hazanavicius, Robin Campillo, Louis Garrel or even Marina Foïs took the floor to denounce the refusal of the Academy to invite the “godmothers” - Claire Denis and Virginie Despentes - chosen by two young people actors. Earlier in the evening, the Société des Réalisateurs Français had asked Alain Terzian, the boss of the Césars, "for explanations as to these opaque and discriminatory acts".
At the end of the meal, the Académie des César presented its "sincere apologies" in a press release. But while Terzian hoped to have put out the fire, four days later, the Union of Independent Producers was blowing on the embers. He was indignant in turn about the lack of transparency of the Academy and questioned its "privatization" ... On Twitter, Pascal Rogard, the director general of the SACD (Society of authors), suggested squarely to "move from a feudal system to an elective and therefore democratic system ”.
"Terzian and his office disconnected from society"
If, at 70, Terzian has since multiplied meetings and eased some tensions, these jolts show a real uneasiness. President of the Academy since 2003, he is described by some as the indestructible "godfather" of a "mafia". Behind the scenes, many are indignant that the decisions concerning the choice of the presidents of the Caesars, the handers of the trophies or the voting rules are the sole responsibility of the Academy office.
Three years ago, the appointment of Polanski as president of the Caesars had particularly cringe. "It was proof that Terzian and his office are disconnected from society," assures a director ... who points out that the office's four vice-presidents and general secretaries are between 78 and 89 years old.
While many are calling for a renewal, Alain Terzian responds to criticism. And clings to his chair: Friday, the Academy published the Caesar dates for ... 2021 and 2022.
Cesar instructions
On February 28, 22 statuettes will be presented in the Salle Pleyel (best actor, best sets ...), in addition to the Cesar of Honor, the public and high school students. The 22 winners will have been chosen by a two-round vote, in which the approximately 4,700 members of the Academy participate: cinema professionals up to date with their annual subscription of 90 euros.
In mid-December, each member received a box containing the DVDs of the 150 French films released in 2019, the producers of which agreed to pay 5,500 euros to the Academy (to finance the production of the box).
These 4,700 voters do not participate in decisions concerning the management of the Academy. This is governed by the Association for the Promotion of Cinema, which has 47 members (among them, there are in particular all the artists who have obtained an Oscar).
The APC is itself administered by a board of directors of 21 members (among which we find the 5 French Oscar winners before 1976), who elect every 5 years the 7 members of the Academy's board, including its president.
