Québécois Film ‘Simple comme Sylvain’ Wins Best Foreign Film at César Awards

Canadian filmmaker Monia Chokri surprised audiences by clinching the Best Foreign Film award with ‘Simple comme Sylvain‘ at the prestigious César Awards, which honors excellence in French cinema.

Receiving the award on stage, Monia Chokri quipped, “I’m so sorry Mister Nolan,” acknowledging Christopher Nolan, director of ‘Oppenheimer,’ who was also in the running for the same category.

In her speech, Chokri expressed gratitude to the Academy and French audiences for embracing the Quebec film, which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival last year in the Un Certain Regard section.

She also thanked her Quebec producers and actors Magalie Lépine-Blondeau and Pierre-Yves Cardinal, whose performances brought the film’s story to life.

‘Simple comme Sylvain’ explores the complexities of love across social classes, following the lives of Sophia, Xavier, and Sylvain in a thought-provoking narrative.

The film has resonated strongly with audiences, grossing over a million in box office revenue within a couple of months of its release.

Following the win, accolades poured in on social media, with government officials and film enthusiasts applauding Chokri and the team for their achievement.

The César Awards ceremony took on a significant tone this year, with actress Judith Godrèche advocating for change amid a wave of revelations in the French film industry.

Anatomy of a Fall directed by Justine Triet stood out with multiple wins at the awards, including Best Film and Best Direction, underscoring the industry’s evolving landscape.

Godrèche’s impassioned speech addressing systemic issues within the industry resonated with the audience, highlighting the need for a cultural shift in attitudes towards harassment and abuse in the film world.