PARIS, Feb 23, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – “Custody”, a film about domestic violence
and a divorced couple’s battle over their son, was the big winner at the
“French Oscars” — the Cesars — on Friday, where veteran US actor and
director Robert Redford was presented with an honorary award.
Released in France under its original title of “Jusqu’… la garde”,
“Custody” is director Xavier Legrand’s first feature-length movie and took
home four awards including best film and best original screenplay.
It also earned a best leading actress award for Lea Drucker, who plays
Miriam, a brave but fragile mother struggling to recover after her separation
and fighting to protect her son from his violent father.
“When we made the film in 2016, 123 women were killed by their partner or
ex-partner” in France, Legrand said as he picked up his award.
“Since January 1, 2019, 25 women have been killed, which means we’ve gone
from one woman every three days, as it was in 2016, to one every two days.”
The awards ceremony, the biggest of its kind recognising French cinema, is
now in its 44th year and was held at a glittering gala celebration in Paris.
“I would like to dedicate this award to all the Miriams, all the women who
are not living a fiction but a tragic reality,” Drucker said as she collected
her statuette. The awards also paid homage to Redford, 82, granting him an
honorary Cesar and the US star used the occasion to share some of his
earliest memories of visiting France.
Jacques Audiard received the best director award for “The Sisters
Brothers” (“Les Freres Sisters”) while Alex Lutz took best actor for his
depiction of “Guy”, which he also wrote and directed.
The big favourite ahead of the night, “Sink or Swim” (“Le Grand Bain”), a
comedy about a group of men throwing themselves into the world of
synchronised swimming, had a disappointing evening, winning only a best
supporting actor award for Philippe Katerine.