Emilia Perez to represent France at the Oscars, but The Count of Monte Cristo still has a chance

Backed by Samuel Goldwyn Films, the epic film starring Pierre Niney will be released in American theaters just before Christmas. Just in time to campaign in other categories.

Just before France designated its candidate for the statuette for best foreign film – it is finally Emilia Perezby Jacques Audiard, who has just been selected against the The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre de la Patellière and Matthieu Delaporte, All We Imagine As Lightby Payal Kapadia and Mercyby Alain Guiraudie- Variety announced that the adaptation of the famous novel by Alexandre Dumas would soon be released in the United States, with a view to possible Oscar selections.

Emilia Perez: Audiard surprises, amazes and enchants [critique]

We put everything in the plural, because according to the American site, its distributor Samuel Goldwyn Films hopes to have it nominated in several categories, including the supreme one, best film.

The adventure feature film will be released in North America on December 20th, in a large number of theaters in order to be eligible for the 2025 Oscars. No “limited release” here, but a national broadcast significant enough for the team to fully launch itself into the race for prizes.

After its presentation at the Cannes Film Festival, out of competition, and its warm critical reception, The Count of Monte Cristo was a hit all summer in France, attracting over 8 million spectators. Its American premiere is scheduled for soon, as part of the Hamptons International Film Festival, from October 4 to 14, then it will be shown at the American French Film Festival in Los Angeles, set this year between Sunday, October 20 and Sunday, November 3.

The Count of Monte Cristo: Pierre Niney Imperial as Angel of Vengeance [critique]

Pierre Niney and the rest of the team will certainly make the trip to defend the film across the Atlantic, as that ofAnatomy of a fall last yearwhich, despite its absence in the best foreign film category (remember that it is The Passion of Dodin Bouffant who had been chosen by the French committee against him), had been supported by NEON for its American distribution throughout the ceremony season, and had ended up winning the statuette for best original screenplay.

This year, it is difficult to know if this kind of scenario could happen again, because Emilia Perez could benefit from its international cast (Karla Sofia Gascon, Zoe Saldaña, Selena Gomez And Adriana Paz have already been awarded at Cannes for their performances) and its strong subject (a Mexican cartel leader decides to change his sex and his life, and his evolution is told in the form of a musical comedy) to also appear in other categories. Seen from France, however, The Count of Monte Cristo remains the most popular film with the public, Emilia Perez having gathered around 760,000 spectators in our country since its release at the end of August.

The 97th Academy Awards will be held on March 2, 2025.

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