The crime thriller “On the night of the 12th.” by Dominik Moll has won the French César Prize for Best Film. The prestigious award was presented in Paris on Friday evening. The film by the German-born French director (“Harry means well with you”) takes up the subject of femicide and tells the true story of an unsolved crime against a woman who was burned alive.
“On the night of the 12th.” also received five other awards, including best director and best adapted screenplay, which Moll wrote in collaboration with Gilles Marchand.
The César for best foreign film went to the thriller “As Bestas” by Spanish director Rodrigo Sorogoyen. It is about the deadly conflict between the locals of a Spanish village and a French couple who have just moved there. The 41-year-old director has made an international name for himself with films such as “The Power of Money” and “The Murders of Madrid”.
The American director David Fincher, who personally accepted the award, received the honorary César. The 60-year-old’s best-known films include “Seven”, “Fight Club”, “The Game” and “Mank”. Hollywood star Brad Pitt, with whom Fincher has made several films, appeared as a surprise guest. The encounter with Fincher changed his life, he is a perfectionist, said Pitt, who was received with an ovation. He admires him.
The César – named after the sculptor César Baldaccini – is the French version of the Oscar film awards. It has been awarded since 1976.
