This weekend was the big one for film fans everywhere. Two days before the Oscars were held in the US, French filmmakers were having their own moment at the César Awards, France’s premiere award ceremony for cinema in all its forms.
The big winner was “BPM,” a moving story about AIDS activists in Paris in the 1990s. The film was directed by Robin Campillo, and starred Nahuel Pérez Biscayart, Arnaud Valois and Adèle Haenel. It won six awards, including Best Film, Best Original Screenplay, and Best Original Music.
Campillo gave a stirring speech about social issues in France, including new laws concerning the country’s policy on accepting refugees. And in lieu of wearing black, many industry members wore white ribbons in solidarity with the #MeToo movement, making this awards ceremony a significant event both artistically and politically.
