Solène Delinger 12:29 p.m., February 6, 2024

The atmosphere was festive Monday evening at Fouquet's, on the Champs-Elysées, where all the César nominees gathered for a gala dinner. Virginie Efira, Marion Cotillard, Pio Marmaï, Léa Drucker, Raphaël Quenard... The lucky ones chosen by the academy came to collect their diploma with a smile on their faces. Europe1.fr was there and collected their secrets two weeks before the big day. 

All the big names in French cinema were at Fouquet's Monday evening to celebrate their César nominations. Marion Cotillard, Pio Marmaï, Léa Drucker, Benjamin Lavernhe, Justine Triet, Virginie Efira, Paul Kircher... The newcomers as well as the regulars were happy to come and collect their diploma, a symbol of their accomplishment. Virginie Efira, nominated numerous times, and finally crowned best actress last year for her role in

Revoir Paris

, was a bit at home last night.

Virginie Efira convinced not to win the trophy this year

Radiant and very chic in a belted black Yves Saint Laurent mini dress, the actress explains to us that she is very relaxed because... she knows that she will not win this year! “I'm taking off my crown to give it to someone else in a few weeks. I'm 100,000% sure that I won't get it and that's why I'm going to have a good evening,” she confides, smiling. According to her, Sandra Hüller, the star of

Anatomy of a Fall

, will succeed her. “Everyone plays well! And it’s not just the actress, there’s also the resonance of the film,” she explains to us, referring to the crazy success of

Anatomy of a Fall

by Justine Triet , nominated five times for the Oscars. Between two interviews, Virginie Efira laughs with the director, her friend who made her play in the film

Victoria.

Justine Triet savors her success

Justine Triet should be on cloud nine. After years in the cinema, she is finally acclaimed! Despite a busy schedule, the director of

Anatomy of a Fall

is enjoying it. "It's great! The happiest thing is meeting a lot of people, especially in the United States. Meeting Meryl Streep and talking with her, there are worse things in life," she jokes. “All this doesn’t happen to me when I’m 20 so I enjoy it a lot more,” adds the director, Palme d’Or 2023 at Cannes. Justine Triet is also delighted with the number of female directors nominated for the Césars this year, 3 this year compared to... 0 last year: "It's very pleasing and at the same time it's normal! We can't wait for it to be a not subject and that we no longer talk about it.

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Raphaël Quenard puts on a show

A little further on the red carpet, Raphaël Quenard puts on a show in front of the journalists. The actor, unknown to the battalions until a year ago, is nominated in three categories this year including those of best actor in a supporting role and male revelation. A real feat for someone who loves telling little anecdotes. Like the fact that he was eating chocolate chip muesli with a friend (yes, you have to be precise, he says) when he learned that it was a huge success for him at the Césars.

Raphaël Quenard still can't believe it and thanks the directors who "trusted him". “They are electrocuting artists who produce works that petrify us with pleasure, magic and grace,” he tells us, faithful to his grandiloquence. Raphaël Quenard, a UFO of French cinema with inimitable phrasing, underlines his status as an outsider: "Telling the story of someone who manages to win three nominations when it is someone who had no grip with the cinema, and who is a notorious moron, that can give hope to everyone!”, he jokes. Behind him, the latecomers to dinner rush into the Fouquet's room... For a first festive and good-natured meeting with their "adversaries" before the competition really begins next Friday, February 23 at the Olympia.