Tag: Anamaria Vartolomei

Oscar Predictions: The Count of Monte Cristo

France may have a tricky decision to make when it comes to selecting their Best International Feature Film contender. One such hopeful is The Count of Monte Cristo based on the mid-19th century adventure by Alexandre Dumas. It premiered at Cannes in May and is out in its native country already. Matthieu Delaporte and Alexandre de La Patellière co-direct with a cast including Pierre Niney, Bastien Bouillon, Anaïs Demoustier, Anamaria Vartolomei, and Laurent Lafitte.

Based on a small number of reviews, Count totals 100% on RT. They’re not all raves, but are encouraging enough that France should consider it for submission. Another Cannes premiere – the animated The Most Precious of Cargoes from the Oscar winning The Artist director Michel Hazanavicius – drew a more mixed reaction. Audrey Diwan’s thriller Emmanuelle is arriving this fall and it could also be a player in the awards game.

Eight pictures from France have made the cut in the 21st century with no victors (you have to go back to 1992’s Indochine for that). Cristo could get in, but I wouldn’t count on it becoming the first winner in over three decades. My Oscar Prediction posts will continue…

Oscar Predictions: Being Maria

In 1974, filmmaker Bernardo Bertolucci and Marlon Brando were respectively nominated for Director and Actor for their work in Last Tango in Paris. Jessica Palud’s Being Maria recounts the making of that controversial picture with a focus on its leading lady. Anamaria Vartolomei portrays Maria Schneider with Guiseppe Maggio as Bertolucci and Matt Dillon as Brando.

After premiering at Cannes last month, the French release is slated for next week with a domestic rollout still TBD. With a 75% Rotten Tomatoes score, even the positive notices are measured in their praise. The source material managed to be a contender half a century ago. This won’t. My Oscar Prediction posts will continue…