At Fouquet's, the very wise dinner of the nominees of the Césars

Next February 24 at the end of the 48th César, more than a hundred and fifty of them will leave empty-handed.

But if the ceremony at the Olympia is for the contenders for a golden compression an emotional roller coaster, the traditional meal of the nominees which precedes it is a universal moment of celebration and joy.

In a good schoolboy and communicative mood.

Nothing to do with the anxious and closed faces of D-Day.

Always organized at Fouquet's - the historical partner of the Césars -, the feasts, which brought together 188 nominees on Monday and some of the hosts of the evening of the 24th, innovated on the format.

Exit the usual Sunday lunch.

To add a little more glamour, solemnity and glitz and encourage guests to stay longer, the Académie des César transformed the feast into a dinner party.

By taking care to organize it on a Monday, the day off at the theater so that as many actors as possible can come.

The guests were asked to wear “gala outfits” or at least “elegant”, according to the invitation card.

In the running for the statuette of the best actress, Juliette Binoche (

) and Virginie Efira (

) bet for one on a black trouser suit, for the other on a more eccentric charcoal frock coat.

Brilliant in

, Nadia Tereszkiewicz had opted for a black skirt and a very beautiful jacket embroidered with flowers.

But the one who had the most effect was Ahmed Sylla, one of the co-presenters of the Césars.

The comedian and humorist was dressed in a costume studded with white doves.

Virginie Efira on leaving the photo shoot and presentation of the Abaca certificate

Before sitting down at one of the 25 tables of ten covers set up by the Fouquet's staff, the nominees, whether they were a star of the French seventh art or a precious but little-known little hand, followed the same route.

Passage on the red carpet under the flash of the photographers where they were given their official certificate of nomination typed and under plate.

Then a few minutes at the microphone of Hélène Verbois, Thierry Chèze and Jean-Luc Brunet.

The three journalists were commissioned by the Académie des César to collect memories of each other's nominations.

To be found on social networks.

On the plates, a guide to good Caesar manners

Inaugurated at 6 p.m., the red carpet was in full swing until 8:15 p.m.

First standing, glass of champagne in hand and delighted to find their team, the contenders for the statuettes respected the strict schedule of Fouquet's who asked to be in his place for a shot at 8:30 p.m.

In the selfie department, Pio Marmai, who remained alongside his director of

Cédric Klapisch, and Louis Garrel, at the top of the nominations with 11 quotes for

were the most requested.

While waiting for starters and in the absence of a speech, you could leaf through the guide to good manners at the Caesars left on the plates.

What time to come to the Olympia on February 24, the media journey of the future winners and especially the new uses concerning the speeches of thanks.

To keep the ceremony under three hours, no more than one minute of speaking time per category.

And this even if several people are rewarded.

In this case, a volunteer must be appointed and notified no later than 48 hours before the ceremony.

Is asked to have a thought for the cinema rather than for the parents, spouses or children.

The winners will have the opportunity behind the scenes to record a personal speech without time limit which will be posted on the César website.

Pio Marmai, Cédric Klapisch and screenwriter Santiago Amigorena with their nomination certificates for

Abaca

Concocted by starred chef Pierre Gagnaire and the executive chef of Brasserie du Fouquet's, the menu was sure to surprise by making classic ingredients and formulations unrecognizable.

The ballet of plates opened with a reinterpretation of Breton fermented Ribot milk decorated with sticky syrup of grapefruit with knives, with diced lobsters and radishes.

Followed by a round of veal vein rubbed with curry on spelled rice.

The slightly too rounded knives of the evening often gave the eaters a hard time.

For those who were still hungry, it was possible to enjoy a frozen parfait and its white cheese.

Not to mention chocolate sweets.

Vote until D-Day

Picking up the main course signaled recess time.

Some leaving their appointed table to chat with friends or to stretch their legs.

Ahmed Sylla would have liked to put a little more atmosphere but few seemed determined to leave this formal framework.

Sitting with the very masculine team of

of Albert Serra, the representatives of the documentary of the

would not have been against a little more diversity.

Despite the tensions behind the scenes on a Film Academy, summoned to reform and doubts about the ability of the ceremony to revitalize, the atmosphere remained good-natured and schoolboy.

Unthinkable to try to campaign and convince your table neighbor to vote for you.

The race for votes will resume soon enough.

Those who hesitate will have until 4 p.m. on the day of the ceremony, February 24, to fill out their ballot.

Léa Drucker, Ahmed Sylla and Eye Haïdara, three of the mistresses and masters of the collective ceremony of these César 2023. Abaca