Did the five Oscar nominations for Anatomy of a Fall play a role in the evolution of the discourse? The executive has in any case significantly changed its tone towards director Justine Triet who flies from trophy to trophy. In Cannes, when receiving the Palme d’Or in 2023, she castigated the “commodification of culture that the neoliberal government defends”. Comments that the Macronist majority had little appreciation for and that the former Minister of Culture, Rima Abdul Malak, had politely described as “ungrateful and unfair”.
A few weeks before the César and Oscar ceremonies – and potential press releases hailing a new triumph for French cinema – the new tenant of rue de Valois has made a 180-degree turn by praising this film which dissects relationships of domination within the couple. “The Palme d’Or is not nothing,” Rachida Dati exclaimed at France Inter on Wednesday. This film shocked me. It’s a fight I’ve had since I was ten: I lived with violence all the time. What is new and essential in Justine Triet’s film is the child’s point of view.”
Also read: Emmanuel Macron congratulates Justine Triet, winner of the Golden Globes with Anatomy of a Fall
Nicolas Sarkozy’s former Minister of Justice is full of magnanimity regarding the anti-government speech delivered by Justine Triet. “It’s his freedom of expression. She is an artist. She has even more right to do so.” As a reminder, the director had accused Emmanuel Macron’s government “of breaking the French cultural exception, this same cultural exception without which (she) would not be here today.” The filmmaker also relayed opposition to pension reform, “an extremely powerful and unanimous historical protest, shockingly denied.”
Stung, the Élysée had not sent any message of congratulations to Justine Triet. The radio silence lasted until January and the triumph of Anatomy of a Fall at the Golden Globes. It was impossible to sulk any further when it was clear that the legal drama had a good chance of breaking into the general Oscar categories.
Also read: From Cannes to the Oscars, how Anatomy of a Fall is conquering the world
Some saw in Justine Triet’s offensive speech the reasons for the film’s exclusion by the CNC. The committee, in charge of selecting the French film candidate for the Oscar for best international film, preferred the culinary fresco La passion by Dodin Bouffant to the Palme d’Or. The rest is known. The Oscar voters did not deign to nominate the recipe for Tran Anh Hung’s stew, but gave a triumph to Anatomy of a Fall, which can claim five statuettes on March 10, including the most prestigious for best film, original screenplay and direction.
A feat that Rachida Dati already applauded last week. “Proud for France, the historic home of cinema, and for our cultural influence, of the nomination for
The two women will be able to speak in person on February 23, during the César ceremony. With 11 nominations, Anatomy of a Fall is the big favorite of the evening, along with the dystopia The Animal Kingdom.
