France may no longer be the pinnacle of world cinema, but their official awards show, The Cesars, have at least succeeded in one way where the academy blew it: Denis Lavant got a best actor nomination for Holy Motors! The film that will likely be remembered longer than most of this year's Oscar nominees also garnered several other much-deserved nominations, including best screenplay, best director, and best film.
But the real success story is Camille Rewinds, a time-travel comedy/drama which led the nominations with thirteen nods,beating out even Amour. Of course, Michael Haneke's study of dying still came in second with ten nominations. In the foreign film category, Ben Affleck was slightly vindicated for being passed over by the academy for a directing nomination, as Argo is the only American film competing. Finally, my favorite movie of the year, Ernest and Celestine scored a nomination for best animated film.
Here's a list of nominations for key categories.
Best Film
Farewell My Queen
Amour
Camille Rewinds
In the House
Rust and Bone
Holy Motors
What's in a Name
Best Director
Benoit Jacquot for Farewell my Queen
Michael Haneke for Amour
Noemie Lvovsky for Camille Rewinds
Francois Ozon for In the House
Jacques Audiard for Rust and Bone
Leos Carax for Holy Motors
Stephane Brize for A Few Hours of Spring
Best Actress
Marion Cotillard for Rust and Bone
Catherine Frot in Les Saveurs du Palais
Noemie Lvovsky in Camille Rewinds
Corinne Masiero in Louise Wimmer
Emamanuelle Riva in Amour
Lea Seydoux in Farewell my Queen
Helene Vincent in A Few Hours of Spring
Best Actor
Jean-Pierre Bacri in Cherchez Hortense
Patrick Bruel in What's in a Name
Denis Lavant in Holy Motors
Vincent Lindon in A Few Hours of Spring
Fabrice Luchini in In the House
Jeremie Renier in Cloclo
Jean-Louis Trintignant in Amour
Best Supporting Actor
Guillaume de Tonquedec in The First Name
Samir Guesmi in Camille Rewinds
Benoit Magimel in Cloclo
Claude Rich in Cherchez Hortense
Michel Vuillermox in Camille Rewinds
Best Supporting Actress
Valerie Benguigui in What's in a Name
Judith Chemla in Camille Rewinds
Isabelle Huppert in Amour
Yolande Moreau in Camille Rewinds
Edith Scob in Holy Motors
Best Foreign Film
Argo, directed by Ben Affleck
Bullhead, directed by Michael R. Roskam
Laurence Anyways, directed by Xavier Dolan
Oslo, August 31st, directed by Joachim Trier
The Angels Share, directed by Ken Loach
Royal Affair, directed by Nikolaj Arcel
Our Children, directed by Joachim Lafosse
Best Original Screenplay
Bruno Podalydes, Denis Podalydes for Adieu Berthe ou l'Enterrement de Meme
Michael Haneke for Amour
Noemei Lvovsky, Florence Seyvos, Maud Ameline, Pierre-Olivier Mattei for Camille Rewinds
Leos Carax for Holy Motors
Floence Vignon, Stephane Brize for A Few Hours of Spring
Best Adapted Screenplay
Lucas Belvaux for 38 Temoins
Gilles Taurand, Benoit Jacquot for Farewell my Queen
Francois Ozon for In the House
Jacques Audiard, Thomas Bidegain for Rust and Bone
Matthieu Delaporte, Alexander de la Patelliere for The First Name
Best Costume
Christian Gasc for Farewell my Queen
Pascaline Chavanne for Augustine
Madeline Fontaine for Camille Rewinds
Mimi Lempicka for Cloclo
Charlotte David for Populaire
Best Decor
Katia Wyszkop for Farewell my Queen
Jean-vincent Puzos for Amour
Philippe Chiffre for Cloclo
Florian Sanson for Holy Motors
Sylvie Olive for Populaire
Best Cinemaphotography
Romain Winding for Farewell my Queen
Darius Khondji for Amour
Stephane Fontain for Rust and Bone
Caroline Champetier for Holy Motors
Guillaume Schiffman for Populaire
Best Editing
Luc Barnier for Farewelly my Queen
Monika Willi for Amour
Annette Dutertre, Michel Klochendler for Camille Rewinds
Juliette Welfling for Rust and Bone
Nelly Quettier for Holy Motors
Best Original Music
Bruno Coulais for Farewell my Queen
Gaetan Roussel, Joseph Dahan for Camille Rewinds
Philippe Rombi for In the House
Alexandre Desplat for Rust and Bone
Emamanuel d'Orlando for Populaire
Best Animated Film
Edmond Etait un Ane, directed by Franck Dion
Ernest et Celestine, directed by Benjamin Renner, Vincent Patar, Stephane Aubier
Kirikou et le Hommes et les Femmes, directed by Michel Ocelot
Oh Willy, directed by Emma de Swaef, Marc Roels
Zarafa, directed by Remi Bezancon, Jean-Christophe Lie
Best First Film
Augustine by Alice Winocour
Commes des Freres by Hugo Gelin
Louise Wimmer by Cyril Mennegun
Populaire by Regis Roinsard
Rengaine by Rachid Djaidani
Best New Actress
Alice de Lencquesaing for Au Galop
Lola Dewaere for Mince Alors!
Julia Faure for Camille Rewinds
India Hair for Camille Rewinds
Izia Higelin for Mauvaise Fille
Best New Actor
Felix Moati for Tele Gaucho
Kacey Mottet Klein for L'Engant d'en Haut
Pierre Niney for Commes de Freres
Matthias Schoenarts for Rust and Bone
Ernst Umhauer for In the House