26/01/2005

Represented in two categories for the Oscars ‹the ceremony will take place on the 27th of February‹ with the nomination of Aline Bonetto for best artistic direction and Bruno Delbonnel for best picture , Un long dimanche de fiançailles (A Very Long Engagement) by Jean-Pierre Jeunet is a very controversial case in French cinema. Indeed, last month, on the 25th November, the administrative court in Paris cancelled the support agreement signed in October 2003 by the Centre National de la Cinématographie (CNC). On what ground? 2003 Productions, the production company involved in the film, apparently cannot be considered a European company, for its acts as an unofficial branch of Warner, via the staff of Warner France (under the lead of its president, Francis Boesblug).

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Despite the appeal lodged by the CNC, there is little chance Un long dimanche de fiançailles will be allowed the benefit of this French agreement, which is quite an odd situation for a feature film shot entirely in France with a 100% national set of actors and technical staff. However, in the public mind which does not care much for juridical refinements, it is definitely France and not the United States which will be represented this year by Aline Bonetto and Bruno Delbonnel at the Oscar ceremony.

(Translated from French)