The Académie des Lumières, a group of 200 foreign journalists who reunite each year to vote for French films (equivalent to the Golden Globes) awarded 6 feature films this year.
During the ceremony held on February 25 at the Forum des Images in Paris, the Trophée Lumières (in Lalique crystal) were given to:
- “Amelie from Montmartre” for Best Film. Jean-Pierre Jeunet and Guillaume Laurant also received the Best Screenplay, and Audrey Tautou, the Best Actress awards.
- “Intimacy”: Patrice Chereau was awarded Best Director.
- Michel Bouquet received the Best Actor award for his performance in “The Way I Killed My Father” by Anne Fontaine.
- In the Best Female and Male Newcomer, the foreign journalists awarded respectively Rachida Brakni for her work in “Chaos” by Coline Serreau and Abdel Halis, a stand out in “17 rue bleue”, Chad Chenouga’s first feature.
– “Billy Eliott,” by Stephen Daldry, was awarded Best Foreign Film.
Votes are cast at the beginning of January, way before the nominations for the Césars are announced. The Académie des Lumières’ choices therefore provide strong predictions for future results – the way they have in past years.
For further information, contact: Grazyna Arata
Lumières Secretary-General
aratagrazyna@aol.com
