It had all started, for once, under the best of auspices. The trailer for the 50th César awards, directed by Cédric Klapisch and based on an idea by Mohamed Hamidi, which had been circulating on social media for a few weeks, was downright hilarious. It introduced us to an assembly of "anonymous Césars," where Franck Dubosc, Géraldine Nakache, François Damiens, Louise Bourgoin, Zinedine Soualem and Vincent Macaigne had to overcome their frustration at never having received a statuette, under the contrite guidance of Jean-Pascal Zadi. The small-scale comedy of human vanity – feigned indifference, pride, egotism, storm in a teacup – was wonderfully distanced.
The ceremony itself – held on the evening of Friday, February 28 at the Olympia, Paris, and broadcast live on Canal +, tactfully semi-conducted by actor Zadi – reinforced this feeling of success.
Decency, sobriety, humor, reasoned timing, a touching tribute to the departed, civic engagement: All in all, everything here was in good taste, in good tone and in good measure, a moment of respite and grace in a world that is more deregulated and suffering than ever, which it was agreed would not be forgotten but would not spoil the occasion for a rather generous and good-natured outpouring.
You have 89.5% of this article left to read. The rest is for subscribers only.