A Prophet named Best Film at the Globes de Cristal
Tahar Rahim and director Jacques Audiard, Cannes, May 16, 2009.
Xan Brooks in his video review at the Guardian UK says A Prophet is “the first real masterpiece of the decade.” Two major critics groups concur, as the film picks up more awards in its march to the Cesars on February 27th.
The drama was named best film of the year at the “Globes de Cristal” (Crystal Globes) ceremony Monday night and earned the French Film Critics Syndicate’s top prize announced Tuesday.
The film’s breakout star Tahar Rahim was named best actor at the Globes de Cristal ceremony held at Paris’ Lido theater.
A Prophet is nominated for 13 Cesars (Best Film, Director, Actor, Supporting Actor, Screenplay, Cinematography, Score, Editing, Art Direction, Costume Design, Sound, and Best Newcomers, Tahar Rahim & Adel Bencherif). Trailer after the cut.
daveylow says:
Tuesday, February 9, 2010 at 12:36pm
The awards are so deserved. Keeping my fingers crossed for the film on Oscar night.
Aragorn75 says:
Tuesday, February 9, 2010 at 12:37pm
Great movie! Overall the quality of those European movies always pleases me. great and original stories, great directing, and great acting. Not big special effects for sure but overall great and daring movies!
Afrika is back bishes says:
Tuesday, February 9, 2010 at 1:12pm
When you compare the quality of films at these European awards circuits to Oscar nominated American movies *cough* The Blind Side *cough* you can’t help but laugh. Why AMPAS is held to such a high standard is starting to baffle me. SMH
Joolz says:
Tuesday, February 9, 2010 at 1:28pm
Tahar Rahim needs to be a global star now.
Jeremie says:
Tuesday, February 9, 2010 at 2:09pm
Tahar Rahim just deserves any kind of love really. He is just so brilliantly… hot ! Anyway that was not my point but could not help it. I wanted to say that even if I’m really happy with the overall Cesar nominations (and how couldn’t I be with 13 nominations, a record, for Un Prophète), there also are some really really bad films nominated. Sadly you’ll probably never get a chance to see them in America and that is really a shame.
So just to give you a idea of what you’re missing, here is the trailer for this French marvel nominated for Best First Film, a weird mix between Precious and Cool Runnings….
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CakQLb1O31I
Enjoy !
Insider says:
Tuesday, February 9, 2010 at 3:55pm
It should win the Oscar for foreign language film!
Zach says:
Tuesday, February 9, 2010 at 4:11pm
So how does this compare to The White Ribbon, both quality-wise and odds-wise?
Aragorn75 says:
Tuesday, February 9, 2010 at 4:19pm
Zach,
both are great movies in different ways in my opinion. Both have very good directing. They both have very interesting but difficult stories. However, The Prophet is easier to watch than the White Ribbon. Also, even though both have great groups of actors, White Ribbon is more like an ensemble movie where there is no one single character or so it is hard to say it has a real lead actor/actress. In the Prophet, there are a few major characters played by very good actors. On the other hand, White Ribbon’s cinematography is just brilliant! It would be very difficult for me to choose one over another. They are both very good
Koch says:
Tuesday, February 9, 2010 at 4:35pm
Agreed with Aragorn75 (#8) but I’m definitely rooting for A Prophet (even though I love Haneke). Oscar has always perplexed me in choosing foreign language winners (not to mention nominees). Just last year, for instance, when Waltz with Bashir seemed to be a shoo-in, they went with Departures. This year, though White Ribbon feels like the front-runner, A Prophet has more than a chance.
Aragorn75 says:
Tuesday, February 9, 2010 at 7:47pm
This is interesting! If this thread was about Meryl vs. Sandra or Hurt Locker vs. Avatar there would be tens of people here by now, writing comments, sharing opinions and/or fighting. But when it is about one of the foreign language movies only 9 comments so far. I think this says a lot.
The other day some people were complaining about Sasha posting stuff about the same topics all the time. I think this is what happens when she posts something outside those people’s comfort zone!
I dont know what business model this site has but if it depends on number of clicks and/or comments I would post at least one article about one of those controversial topics every day! That would be great for business
jennybee says:
Tuesday, February 9, 2010 at 8:07pm
It probably has a lot to do with the fact that few people have been able to see foreign nominees. At most, perhaps one or two. These sort of stories aren’t going to generate comment storms but they will get quietly noticed by many people who put them higher up on their to-be-watched lists. This is a good thing. The best measurement of a blog post isn’t necessarily number of comments, but what the people who read it then do with the information presented. Harder to measure, but often more relevant.
I’m eager to see A Prophet (the film and/or an actual prophet). I enjoyed The White Ribbon, haven’t seen the others.
Would not be at all surprised to see the two frontrunners split the votes and either Ajami or El Secreto de Sus Ojos take the prize. Don’t forget traditionally the white ribbon represents 3rd place. Hard to say who will win that race. We should ask a prophet.
Jeremie says:
Tuesday, February 9, 2010 at 8:14pm
You’re right Aragorn, but sadly I think most of them haven’t seen these films, so they can’t really have anything to say about it. I guess that’s the way it is about foreign films in USA.
But I’m pretty sure a lot of them would revise their judgement about some of so-called best American films of the year, if they had a chance to see (or give it a chance) A Prophet or The White Ribbon.
Or the milk of sorrow ! I saw it again last week and I was amazed by its raw beauty. I’m really happy I re-watched it as I think my first impression was not quite right.
I’m also quite happy about the foreign films nominated this year. It is quite a solid ensemble in my opinion. And I’m really not sure which one is going to win. I would be immensely happy if it goes to A Prophet, but I just do not see it happening. It does not seem like the kind of film the academy generally awards in the foreign category.
I don’t know it might not be exotic enough for them, and probably a bit too rough. But the same can be said for The White Ribbon or Ajami. All these three just seem too dark, too edgy, too political to fit there. I am already amazed they managed to get nominated. So my bet would be on El secreto de sus ojos, the more academy friendly one I reckon (as was The Lives of Others or The Counterfeiters).
But I might be wrong, the wonderfully dark No Man’s Land managed to win against the very sweet Amelie, so it might happen this year again.
Aragorn75 says:
Tuesday, February 9, 2010 at 8:18pm
Jennybee,
what you suggested as the best measure of a blog’s success is almost impossible to do (trust me , this is coming from someone who teaches survey and measurement techniques). Also, it is not that much important either. You could get the information about people’s attitudes or intentions and link them to the articles here but again not very interesting. This blog already has a quite specific target audience and those people already care about movies in general. For most of the advertisers the number of clicks or comments are important because they are just like tv ratings, give information about their reach and frequency.
I saw Ajami too.(love NYC!).Quite good. But i dont think it is at the same level as the other two.
Aragorn75 says:
Tuesday, February 9, 2010 at 8:21pm
Jeremie,
you are right. All those three movies are quite dark but also damn good movies! I am quite disappointed that The Maid didnt get nominated! It was a good unpretentious movie with great acting!
Jeremie says:
Tuesday, February 9, 2010 at 8:27pm
I just watched again the English trailer posted above, and I’m not quite sure it does justice to the film. It is a very good trailer, but it does not sell the right film. If there is one thing that A Prophet is not it is as “epic as the Godfather”. It is its exact opposite. That is what I admire in Audiard’s films, his constant refusal to dramatize or add pathos to his stories. His films are not epic, they are a methodical and precise study of his characters and the environment where they evolve. And all the drama, the suspense come from there.
I know some people — spoiler — have been disappointed by the end, and especially the faith of his mentor but I think the way Audiard shows it is very accurate and realistic with no unnecessary dramatisation. That’s what makes it even more poignant in my opinion.
Jeremie says:
Tuesday, February 9, 2010 at 8:31pm
The maid was amazing indeed. I would have been happy to see it and Still Walking in there but I’m not sure which one of the 5 I’d removed. Probably el secreto de sus ojos (even if really good) and Ajami. But that’s a tricky choice.
Aragorn75 says:
Tuesday, February 9, 2010 at 8:33pm
Jeremie,
it as exactly what i thought after seeing the movie!
Labeling this movie as “epic as the Godfather” sets wrong expectations..
I thought it was very realistic and drama-free ending! I was thinking in the hands of some American directors, the ending might have been an unnecessary drama!!! Thank God, it was not!
Jeremie says:
Tuesday, February 9, 2010 at 8:34pm
You should read “fate of his mentor” not “faith”. I guess I got confused by the title.
Aragorn75 says:
Tuesday, February 9, 2010 at 8:38pm
I got it! Dont worry:)
Jeremie says:
Tuesday, February 9, 2010 at 8:44pm
Yes, you can easily imagine what De Palma or Scorsese would have done with it (with all due respect
)
Audiard also explained that he wanted to end the film like that because Malik’s journey has not finished yet. And he did also mention that he was considering doing a sequel focusing on him outside the prison and his relationship with Djamila and her child. (and as much as I would happy to see more of his story, part of me thinks it is not quite right, and would actually turn the films in some sort of French Godfather).
I don’t know when that will happen though as he is already attached to direct the adaptation of Craig Davidson’s Rust and Bone (which is really really exciting, the book’s material is perfect for him).
Aragorn75 says:
Tuesday, February 9, 2010 at 8:47pm
Ahhhhh DePalma!!! he would have killed it (not in a good way:)
I heard about Rust and Bone. didnt read the book but I know it is an exciting project!
filmfemme says:
Tuesday, February 9, 2010 at 9:16pm
@Joolz: If Tahar Rahim knows or learns English, he will be!! After seeing Un Prophete, I would watch him read the phone book. In FRENCH!!
Pierre de Plume says:
Tuesday, February 9, 2010 at 10:08pm
Good observations, jennybee. Although traffic is important to a site owner, threads (such as this one) that generate fewer comments still spark interest and awareness of what’s coming up. Besides, there’s much value in learning about a masterpiece like Un Prophete, considerably moreso than in unending pingpong volleys about which performer is “overrated” and which one is “overdue.”
Cédric says:
Wednesday, February 10, 2010 at 1:31am
Un prophète was a shoo-in for both the Globe de Crystal and the French Film Critics Syndicate. Now watch it lose the César Best Picture to Welcome the way it did with the Lumiere Awards where the latter DID upset. The French Academy is going crazy for Philippe Lioret’s film too, seriously. This race is way more competitive than you may think it is. Rahim could also lose best actor to ANY of the 4 other nominees (actually 3, considering Cluzet is a double nominee). If it is any indication, if Lindon wins best actor, then the underdog will win best Picture, although I still think Audiard is locked for Best Director.
Adjani has virtually won everything so far, and deservedly so. She’s the front-runner for best actress. But once again this category is often the place for MAJOR upsets like when Huppert was nominated for La Pianiste, Rampling for Under the Sand, Tautou for Amelie and eventually Devos won for…a film by Jacques Audiard precisely. Even last year, Scott Thomas for I’ve Loved You So long and Swinton for Julia lost to Moreau for Séraphine.
Also, who would have thought Yolande Moreau (again!) was to win in 2005 when faced with Cheung in Clean (the Cannes winner) or Devos in Kings and Queen (the front-runner)? It’s HARD to be a front-runner at the César, believe me.
For more info, you can check AD’s forum where I created a César thread a while ago.
Cédric says:
Wednesday, February 10, 2010 at 1:38am
You can also watch (in French) Adjani’s (once again) controversial acceptance speech here:
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xc5s8w_globes-de-cristal-2010-isabelle-adj_news
Aleksis says:
Wednesday, February 10, 2010 at 3:44am
Tahar Rahim is so fine.
Joolz says:
Wednesday, February 10, 2010 at 4:31am
filmfemme – he’s already filmed a role in ‘Eagle of the Ninth’, an adventure set in ancient Roman Britain. The guy has ‘star’ written all over him, and his English is great!
jennybee says:
Wednesday, February 10, 2010 at 4:40am
Aragorn75, you mistake me. I wasn’t proposing a literal methodology for tracking success of a given post, but suggesting that there is value and influence in these less popular threads beyond the measurable. I was saying not to be discouraged that more people are commenting about these films you loved. Comments are a useful indicator of how much interest a thread generates, sure, but there are usually many many more people who read threads than will take time to remark on them. Foreign film posts will never generate as much commenting as, say, Best Picture threads because fewer people have seen the films and thus fewer have much to contribute to the conversation.
It wasn’t a particularly insightful point I was trying to make, but I wanted to be clear I wasn’t being stupid. I know how blogs work.
Sasha and Ryan know what they’re doing with this site. If they didn’t, it wouldn’t have grown exponentially since Sasha became one of the very first Oscar bloggers 10+ years ago. And though I’m sure they appreciate every click and comment, from what I can see Awards Daily isn’t exactly hurting for traffic.
Aragorn75 says:
Wednesday, February 10, 2010 at 4:51am
Jennybee.
I think there was some misunderstanding. I didnt think you were stupid at all… You are right that (and I agree) these less popular threads are still important and sometimes even more interesting.
I tried to make another point. It seems that there are lots of oscar experts in this site. When they speak they seem to know everything about everything. However, it seems that their knowledge or interest is limited to popular categories like best picture or best actress. My original comment was meant for those I-Know-everything people!
Jeremie says:
Wednesday, February 10, 2010 at 5:26am
Cédric I think you right about Welcome and a potential upset. But it is a really good film and I would not be shocked. Considering its subject and the ongoing debate on national identity in France, the Cesars might want send a political sign by awarding Welcome (and they do love being political). And if it can help this very brave film to get seen by more people that is only a good thing.
On the other hand Audiard does not really need any more acclaim, I think he has now a vast international recognition and more or less awards do not really matter. The fact that he won 8 césars for The beat that my heart skipped only 3 years ago might also encourage the French academy to spread a bit more the love.
I also agree with you for Best Actor and Best Actress. I don’t think it’ll go to Rahim as he is also nominated for Best newcomer and will easily win this category. Cluzet won quite recently for Tell no One, and his double nomination might cancel each other (but it could be a way to award A l’origine). So I think Lindon has a very good shot, and Adjani is indeed a shoe-in.
So I reckon it will probably goes this way :
Best Film : Welcome
Best Director : Audiard for A Prophet
Best Actor : Vincent Lindon for Welcome
Best Actress : Isabell Adjani
Best sup. Actor : Niels Arestrup for A Prophet (I dont see how he can loose this one)
Best sup. Actress : Audrey Dana for Welcome or Anne Consigny for Rapt (but it is always a very tricky category)
Best Female Newcomer : Florence Loiret-Caille (it is her turn really)
Best Male Newcomer : Tahar Rahim for A Prophet
Best First Film : Les beaux Gosses (potential upset by Un dernier pour la route)
Best Screenplay : A Prophet (or Welcome)
Best Foreign Film : The White Ribbon
Best Editing : A Prophet
Best Adaptation : Les herbes folles
Best Cinematography : A Prophet
Best Sound : A Prophet (or Le concert)
Best Costume and Best Art direction : Coco avant Chanel
Best Music : A Prophet (or Le concert)
jennybee says:
Wednesday, February 10, 2010 at 6:40am
Aragorn75, fair enough. And yes, the smartest prognosticators know the mantra well: Nobody knows anything.
Gregoire says:
Wednesday, February 10, 2010 at 7:33am
The White Ribbon = Waltz With Bashir
A Prophet = The Class
Ajami = Departures
menyc says:
Wednesday, February 10, 2010 at 4:20pm
I think Haneke will win it – body of work + TWR is a great work that is easier to watch than his other films, has a historical bent, looks great, is beloved and still has the Haneke stamp on it.
That said A Prophet is absolutely worthy of the win. These are my #2 and #3 of last year.
Haneke needs to cut that hair or he’s going to get confused for Cameron by some E! or Access Hollywood chicks.
Pierre de Plume says:
Wednesday, February 10, 2010 at 10:47pm
Haneke needs to cut that hair or he’s going to get confused for Cameron by some E! or Access Hollywood chicks.
Wildly funny – and quite possible.
filmfemme says:
Wednesday, February 10, 2010 at 11:00pm
Joolz, that news has made my day!