The 2008 nominations for the French version of the Oscars - the Cesars- have just been announced and are about to appear on NZ screens at the 2008 French Film Festival.

Festival-goers are already buying their tickets to Claude Miller's latest film "A Secret", which received a phenomenal 11 Cesar nominations, including Best Film, Best Director, Best Actress (Cecile de France), Best Supporting Actress (Julie Depardieu, daughter of Gerard) and Best Supporting Actress again (Ludivine Sagnier, of "Swimming Pool" fame).Up against "A Secret" in the Best Director and Best Film stakes is auteur Abdellatif Kechiche and his surprise hit "The Secret of the Grain". Filmed in digital with unknown actors, it is the hot favourite to take the 2008 Cesar for Best Film and is one of the leading films of the 2008 French Film Festival line-up. The film has also received nominations for Best Original Screenplay (Kechiche), Best Editing and Best Newcomer Actress (Hafsia Herwi).

Hafsia Herwi finds herself in good company for the Best Actress Cesar, rubbing shoulders with Isabelle Carre, recognised for her powerhouse performance as an unhinged stalker in "Anna M.", and Catherine Frot, enchanting in the romantic comedy "Odette Toulemonde". Jean-Pierre Marielle is in the running for the Best Actor Cesar and Bulle Ogier for Best Supporting Actress, both for their roles in "Gotta Dance!"

All 3 films figure among the 17 films on offer at the 2008 French Film Festival, presented by AXA!

Other festival highlights include period comedy "Moliere" and thrillers, dramas, science fiction, romantic comedies and the festival's quirky launch film "Gotta Dance!" (Noemie Lvovsky). Those seeking family movies for all generations need look no further than Philippe Leclerc's animated film "Princess of the Sun" and Olivier's Ringer's horse adventure "Pom".

In a switch of genre, Karl Lagerfeld, the fashion world's 'international man of mystery' ("I don't want to be a reality in people's lives. I want to be like an apparition") finds himself scrutinised by Rodolphe Marconi's lens in his authorised documentary feature "Lagerfield Confidential".

"We have tried to give new dimension to this year's French Film Festival says Festival Director Typhaine Biard-Hamon.

"We don't just want people to see movies, we want them to discover and experience French film and culture."

Baird-Hamon said support from the French Cultural Trust, AXA, the Auckland, Wellington & Christchurch Alliances Françaises, DHL Global Forwarding, L'Oreal Paris, Tefal and support sponsors has been fundamental.

Interesting fact: in an unprecedented move, the date of the 2008 Cesars had to be changed from Saturday 23 February to Friday 22 February, so as not to clash with a much-awaited rugby head-to-head between France and England.

More information:

French Film Festival

Rialto Cinemas in Auckland Feb 20-28 and Christchurch Feb 26 - March 2, and The Embassy in Wellington Feb 13-21.

The Cesars

04/02/08