- Despite the controversy, Roman Polanski and "J'accuse" conquered the voters of the Cesars.
- "20 Minutes" interviewed some of them to understand their motivations.
- The Césars will be awarded this Friday during a ceremony which will be broadcast at 9 p.m., in clear, on Canal +.
With the air of time blowing so strongly against them, how did Roman Polanski and his film J'accuse come to top the nominations for the Césars? And to seduce a good number of the 4500 professionals of the cinema (4689 precisely on November 4 last according to the site of the Academy of Caesar) who placed it 12 times in their preferences?
This way of ignoring the controversy is explained simply by the functioning of the ballot. Many voters have not seen all the films and give their votes to whoever they want with the guarantee that it will remain secret. This was explained to 20 Minutes by several members of the Academy who preferred to remain anonymous.
To have seen it (or not)
It was after the first round, closed on January 28, that the nominees were revealed. “I had discovered J'accuse en salle because it was one of the big movies of the year. So I naturally thought of him when I voted, especially since I loved him, ”says a director. To him, more than to others whom he had not seen or whose existence he perhaps did not even know. "All the films released during the year are eligible for the first round of voting, but it is impossible to have seen them all," explains a producer. The most publicized author films therefore leave with a head start. Especially when the buzz is fueled by a scent of scandal or prizes at major festivals. J'accuse was also a solid box office success with more than 1.5 million admissions.
A false idea of equality
Not all works have the same chances, especially those that did not stay long in theaters. To give a semblance of fairness, catch-up screenings are organized and many films are in the "DVD box" of the Caesars sent to all voters. "Everyone covets him," admits an actress. But we must recognize that it is intimidating so we tend more readily to what we already know or what relatives have advised us. To give a vote to a film that we have not seen seems unthinkable. "It is impossible to see everything in the first round: we are talking about several hundred works," said an exhibitor. However, I watch all the films named after the first round of voting. "
The cronyism in question
Even if one swears - spit, promised - not to give their name, voters cry out when they are told about cronyism. "My vote really reflects my tastes, my favorites and my feelings," insists an operator. All those questioned proclaim their love for the 7th Art. “I voted for Roman Polanski because he is a great director and J'accuse is a great film, insists a producer. The rest are about justice, not the Caesars. Many members of the Academy shared his point of view: Polanski is known, recognized and admired by a good number of voters who sometimes rubbed shoulders with him. "He is friendly and very popular with the older members of the Academy who often find that he is the victim of a manhunt," blows a press officer.
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Anonymity, this great and beautiful thing
Whether on paper or online, voters want to remain anonymous. "This avoids too direct pressure from film managers," admits a distributor. Before adding half-fig, half-grape: "And it also limits shouting if you don't vote for your friends". Can we see in this secret ballot an element of explanation for the nomination of Roman Polanski among the best directors? " Certainly ! admits a producer: few people would be ready to admit their support with an open face for fear of being robbed of green wood, especially from women in their professional or intimate circle. "
And the result in all of this?
Voters have until 4 p.m. this Friday to make their choice on the Internet. The paper vote was closed on Tuesday. "I think it would be interesting if the Academy agreed to publish the precise results of the votes in the first round," explains a director and screenwriter. This would empower voters and allow the industry's view of itself to be analyzed. The ceremony this Friday evening, broadcast at 9 p.m., in clear, on Canal +, will already give some elements of response.
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