A first harvest that heralds others? After being doubly praised at the last Cannes festival (jury prize and acting prize for its actresses), “Emilia Perez” assumed its status as favorite of the 82nd Golden Globes ceremony, awards awarded on the night of Sunday to Monday by the foreign press in Hollywood and whose prize list gives the “the” before the Oscars, which will take place on March 2.
Leading the number of nominations with ten chances of being rewarded (compared to seven for its main challenger, “The Brutalist”, with Adrien Brody), the Spanish-language musical comedy by French director Jacques Audiard gleaned four statuettes, including the most prestigious, that of the best comedy or musical film.
First prize for Zoé Saldana
The evening, presented by American stand-up comedian Nikki Glaser, began very well for this extraordinary feature film telling the story of a drug trafficker changing his genre and life. First prize, first trophy: that of best supporting actress awarded to Zoé Saldaña.
The American-Dominican star of “Avatar” or “Guardians of the Galaxy” received his award in tears. “It’s a first for me,” she confided, before praising its director Jacques Audiard. “Thank you for trusting me, I admire you because you create such complex characters, you are so chic, so French! »
A “French touch” that the American public was able to admire in real life a few minutes later when the 72-year-old filmmaker went on stage to collect the Golden Globe for best foreign language film, presented by Sharon Stone. Relaxed and smiling in his black suit with a thin tie, the director did not pretend to speak the language of Shakespeare – he does not speak that of Cervantes either even though his film was shot in Spanish – and read his thanks in VF, “dubbed” by a translator at his side.
Strong sentences against Trump’s statements
Facetious as usual, the director to whom we also owe “The Prophet” or “Of Rust and Bone” began with a joke. “As I am superstitious, I had not prepared anything… I am lying. » Before delivering the first “punchy” and resolutely feminist speech, of an evening that had been a bit humming so far.
“I never had a sister, I think that’s why I made this film. If there were more sisters, maybe the world would be a better place. In these troubled times, I would like Emilia to be a light. And may it also be a comforting caress for all those who are worried, an exhortation to keep their heads held high. » Strong sentences which echo the virulent debate which has agitated the United States since the election of Donald Trump. The future president, at war against “wokism”, declared that he wanted to “stop the transgender madness” on his first day in office.
Heads held high and words strong, too, for Demi Moore. The 62-year-old actress delivered one of the most moving speeches of the evening. Crowned best actress, it is to a Frenchwoman, the director of the gory and feminist thriller “The Substance”, Coralie Fargeat, that she owes her very first award in “more than 45 years of career”.
“Thirty years ago, a producer told me I was a popcorn actress,” she revealed. I had the impression that I would never be recognized by the profession and I believed it at the time. And when I was at my lowest, I received this bold, courageous script, which was outside the box. I am so grateful to Coralie for trusting me. »
A Latvian jewel in the beard of the US giants
Beautiful evening, definitely, for France: it was “Flow”, a silent and animal gem by the young Latvian prodigy Gints Zilbalodis, co-produced by France, which won the prize for best animated film, on the nose and on the nose. beard of Anglo-Saxon giants like “Moana 2”, “Vice Versa 2” or “Wallace and Gromit”.
The ceremony of course has some disappointments in store for the French. While Jacques Audiard and Coralie Fargeat were both nominated for best screenplay and best direction, they were respectively overtaken by the Vatican thriller “Conclave” and “The Brutalist” (in theaters in France on February 12) by the young American Brady Corbett.
His film, on the trajectory of an architect who survived the concentration camps, will be a major challenger for “Emilia Perez” at the Oscars. He notably won the prize for best dramatic film and best actor.
Camille and Clément Ducol rewarded
Other good surprises awaited the representatives of the French 7th art. If “Challengers” wins the statuette for best music, the French composer couple Camille and Clément Ducol, authors of the flamboyant soundtrack for “Emilia Perez”, take their revenge by winning the Golden Globe for best song (“El Mal”). “It’s such an American experience,” first reacted singer Camille, who packed her bags with her husband and children to live this Hollywood adventure until the Oscars.
“You know, songs are a bit like butterflies, and we need them, even to denounce corruption in the world. Thank you to the composers around the world,” continued the French musician who spoke in English, in a speech that was ultimately quite sober, far from the poetic and “perched” performances that she is used to.
“The light always wins over the dark side”
The final point remained. It is Karla Sofía Gascón, masterful in the title role of “Emilia Perez”, which she interprets before and after her transfer, who brings it in a final powerful speech. Winner in the best musical film category, Jacques Audiard gave the floor to his actress, the first transgender woman to win the acting prize at Cannes, but beaten this Sunday by Demi Moore.
In a Buddhist orange dress, the actress had a “message” to convey: “The light always wins over the dark side,” began Karla Sofía Gascón, also referring to the American political situation. “You can put us in prison, beat us, but never take away our soul, our existence, our identity. Today I can say that I have won: I am who I am and not who you want me to be. »
THE COMPLETE AWARDS
MOVIE THEATER
Comedy or musical film : « Emilia Perez »
Drama film : « The Brutalist »
Actress in a drama film : Fernanda Torres (“I’m still here”)
Actor in a drama film : Adrien Brody (« The Brutalist »)
Actress in a comedy or musical film : Demi Moore
Actor in a comedy or musical film : Sebastian Stan (« A different man »)
Actress in a supporting role in a comedy or musical film : Zoe Saldana (“Emilia Perez”)
Supporting actor in a comedy or musical film : Kieran Culkin ( « A Real Pain »)
Foreign language film : « Emilia Perez »
Film d’animation : « Flow » by Gints Zilbalodis
Scenario : Peter Straughan (« Conclave »)
Realization : Brady Corbet (« The Brutalist »)
Musique : Trent Reznor et Atticus Ross (« Challengers »)
Chanson : « Evil » (« Emilia Perez »)
Best box office success : « Wicked »
SERIES
Mini-series : “My Little Reindeer”
Comedy series : « Hacks »
Drama series : « Shōgun »
Actress in a comedy series : Jean Smarts (« Hacks »)
Actor in a comedy series : Jeremy Allen White (« The Bear »)
Actress in a drama series : Anna Sawai « Shōgun »)
Actor in a drama series : Hiroyuki Sanada (« Shōgun »)
Supporting actress : Jessica Gunning (“My Little Reindeer”)
Supporting actor : Tadanobu Asano (« Shōgun »)
Actress in a miniseries : Jodie Foster (« True Detective : Night country »)
Actor in a miniseries : Colin Farrell (« The Penguin »)
Best stand-up : Ali Wong (« Single lady »)
