INTERVIEW – The César Academy, in collaboration with the House of Chanel, entrusted filmmaker Vanessa Filho with the production of a short film about 32 actresses and actors competing in the promising category Focus on the new generation of cinema;
In the race for the Césars, they represent the hope of French cinema. These diamonds in the rough, highlighted by their talent, acting power, emotional power, will perhaps be among the great actors and actresses of tomorrow. This year, in collaboration with the House of César, the Announcements Committee of the César Academy consists of: from 14 directors and cast members, pre-selected 32 – 16 actresses and 16 actors – to be nominated were in “Revelation 2025”, two of which will succeed. Ella Rumpf and Raphael Quenard, who were ordained in 2024. Their names will be announced on February 28e Césars Edition, chaired by Catherine Deneuve and directed by Cédric Klapisch.
Meanwhile, these new faces are the subject of a short film that will be presented on January 20 during the Soirée des Révélations. Behind the camera: Vanessa Filho, director agreement, The adaptation of Vanessa Springora’s heartwarming story has made its mark since its release in 2023. The filmmaker directed this class of 2025, whose dedication and energy moved him deeply.
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Today’s boys and girls whose films tell the magic of first love most passionately (Love foofGilles Lelouch’s romantic drama, which highlighted Mallory Vanek and Malik Fricka, a generational film), that the current world is at its most cruel, but also at its most beautiful. And it is this glimmer of hope, this small persistent flame, that Vanessa Filho highlighted in the film dedicated to them. For: Madame Figaro, she trusts this particular exercise and gives us her inspired look at these inspiring contenders.
Actors competing for Revelations 2025
Madame Figaro. – What attracted you to this short film project?
Vanessa Filho. – First of all, it was a great honor for me that César Academy and Chanel entrusted me with the preparation of this short film, as well as the series of photographs accompanying it, which will also be shown during the Evening of Revelation. It was especially the carte blanche that moved me, this freedom of expression, which is also one of the strong themes of this film.
What does he say?
It is a dystopia shot in black and white like a German expressionist film, because I wanted to erase the concept of time. It tells the story of the country’s decline into a dictatorship that imposes its totalitarian regime and, above all, prohibits any display of emotion. The dictator keeps repeating that “emotional medicine is affecting our world.” And the main enemy in it is the artists and their freedom to create. I wanted to show how they resist, armed only with their emotional strength. The fighters of this resistance are the young actors and actresses I have filmed.
What inspires you about this new wave?
I really felt that they were in tune with my project, excited and combative. They reminded me of this youth who captured my film Agreement From the moment of its release, I was very impressed by its commitment, its rebellion and its desire to have a different world. Moreover, at the end of the short film, the image is a symbol of refusal to submit. Through this story, I wanted to express French cinema’s recognition of this new generation, which will never stop fighting for freedom of speech.
In agreement, You yourself discovered Kim Higelin, who was nominated for a César for Most Promising Actor last year…
I will always remember Kim’s reaction when she found out about her nomination. I was with him, on the plane, we were returning from the festival. He couldn’t believe it, he let out a cry of joy so expressive that all the travelers turned towards us. I was overwhelmed to see her so happy… Kim is like my little sister, we have a very close bond, we are both hyper emotional. And although there is a difference of about twenty years between us, we share the same kinship and find ourselves in many things. For example, he sings and I…
When you are a filmmaker, how do you predict the potential of young talent?
What I look for when I’m casting are actors or actresses who have a universe, a personality lose control, get confused. For example, when I shot Marion Cotillard Face of an angel (the movie was released in 2018, Editor’s Note), he surprised me in every photo, in every scene. He was no longer the character I had imagined or written, he was different, he never stopped at the boundaries of the story. There was a desire to forget himself, an exceptional emotional involvement. What I wish for all these new talents, stay in the diamonds, keep their freedom of play, never try to be anyone but themselves…
César for Most Promising Newcomer was born in 1983. Which winners have made the biggest impact on you?
I was very moved by Bastien Bouillon’s performance for the César 2023 Best Male nominees. on the night of the 12th where he plays a police captain who is haunted by an unsolved female murder. “Cesar to keep hope…” And then in my old memories there are two young actresses with captivating grace; Vanessa Paradis and her Cesar in 1990. White wedding. He was 17 years old, he was overwhelming, stunned and shocked, light in his eyes, sincere emotions. And the second is Elodie Bouchez, so beautiful and so touching when she was awarded in 1995. Wild reeds.
Youth and adolescence are among the favorite themes of your films…
The protection of minors is a topic that touches me. Whether in or out Face of an angel Or Agreementthere is a desire for devotion. I even questioned myself about working in this industry, especially at that time face of an angel which took a long time to put together. I’m also interested in shooting these key ages, which are all vulnerable, these periods where we construct and deconstruct ourselves according to life events. In my films, I also wanted attention to invite the unconscious state of adults when faced with at-risk youth.
What advice would you give to this new generation of actors and actresses?
Never give up. And make the most of every moment, because being on stage or on set are moments of grace to be cherished. I have a passion for actresses and actors, that’s for sure. I admire the courage it takes for them to act. whatever movies are, they’re always revelations. It’s putting your heart, your body, your soul in the service of the character and the audience. We can’t do it halfway.
What have you kept from your youth?
The same passion, the same inviolable desire for cinema. At the age of 13, I decided to make it my career after seeing it Three colors – Blue, By Krzysztof Kieslowski. Then I told my parents that I was going to be a director, which they greeted with a big smile.
It took you a while to make your first feature film. Why?
I shot my first medium-length film at the age of 19, then I went on other artistic paths, becoming a photographer, videographer, musician. At some point I felt that I was losing my life, so I stopped everything to devote myself completely to this desire for cinema, which never really left me the ways.
What is cinema for?
To explore human complexity, to offer a view of the world.I have the impression that cinema, however utopian, makes us more empathetic and curious about others. I love movies that shock me, make me evolve and grow.
The next step.
I am working on writing two projects. A fantastic film that delivers a social drama about domestic violence and a psychological thriller inspired by a news story about the rise of violence among youth.I’m also working with Letitia Casta on the script for her first film.
The Evening of Revelations will be broadcast from January 20 on the Académie des César website. academy-cinema.org:
