With its microscopic budget of 6.2 million euros (compared to the 150 million Barbie, for example), a French film stands out as there discussion of the moment in Hollywood. Anatomy of a fall finds itself in the running for the Oscar for best film but also in the categories of best direction, best editing, best original screenplay and best actress. A triumph before its time for its director, Justine Triet.
“Few would have counted on the transformation of this film into a true artistic juggernaut, underlines the Los Angeles Times. Realize: France had not even submitted it for the category of best foreign film… Without doubt the most incredible error of the award ceremonies of recent years.” Especially since the work chosen by the French committee, The passion of Dodin Bouffant, didn’t get a single Oscar nomination…
Variety, the bible of American cinema, dissected this French decision in an article with an evocative title – “Anatomy of a Failure” – with an unvarnished verdict: “The French film industry resembles a small village in which a handful of agents and studios pull all the strings and easily influence these kinds of decisions.” According to the cultural magazine, Justine Triet’s film was nevertheless “one of the rare ones to tick all the boxes to succeed at the Oscars: not only did it receive critical success and was able to conquer a large audience, but above all it is distributed [aux Etats-Unis] by Neon, who had guided Parasite towards the Oscar for best film.
According to Variety, the French committee would not have forgiven Justine Triet for her criticisms against the government during the presentation of the Palme d’Or in Cannes last May. “France has the reputation of separating art from the artist in the name of freedom of expression, but Triet apparently does not benefit from this privilege, writes the American review. Her modern feminism appeals to younger generations, but she annoys some members of the old guard.” The Oscars will have the last word on March 11.