Exciting news emerged for the team behind The Count of Monte Cristo, as the film received the César des lycéens, awarded by a panel of high school seniors. This recognition highlights the film’s appeal to younger audiences. The directors expressed their joy at the achievement, emphasizing the importance of engaging youth with cinema. Despite mixed reactions regarding its performance at the César Awards, Pierre Niney thanked fans for their support and celebrated the film’s reception.
Exciting News for The Count of Monte Cristo Team
Just three days following the 50th César Awards ceremony, a delightful surprise emerged for the crew behind The Count of Monte Cristo. This cinematic adaptation of Dumas’ classic, featuring Pierre Niney, has recently been honored with a prestigious accolade aimed at young audiences: the César des lycéens!
In an official announcement, the Academy of Arts and Techniques of Cinema, together with the Ministry of National Education, Higher Education, and Research, shared the thrilling news that the César des Lycéens 2025 was conferred by a voting body comprising 2,617 high school seniors.
A Unique Voting Process
These students, accompanied by their teachers, screened the five films nominated for the 2025 César for Best Film, which included The Count of Monte Cristo, Emilia Perez, En fanfare, The Story of Souleymane, and Mercy. They had the opportunity to discuss their thoughts, share experiences as viewers, and cast their votes for the nominated films. Mirroring the voting timeline of the César Academy, the selection process took place between February 5 and February 28, 2025, at 4 PM, ensuring no potential influence between the two voting groups.
It’s worth noting that the César des Lycéens was established in 2019 through a collaboration between the Ministry of National Education and Youth and the César Academy, with backing from the National Center for Cinema and the Animated Image, the National Federation of French Cinemas, and the Cinema and Performing Arts Assistance. Since its inception, six films have proudly received this esteemed recognition: Until the Guard, The Specials, Goodbye Idiots, Bac Nord, The Night of the 12th, and I Will Always See Your Faces.
The Impact of The Count of Monte Cristo
For The Count of Monte Cristo, this honorary César serves not only as a significant accolade but also highlights its success in captivating young audiences. Recently, the directors shared their thoughts regarding this achievement. “It truly moved us because it was one of our key objectives. For years, Alexandre [de La Patellière] and I have advocated that young audiences are not unreachable; we simply need to present them with films they are not accustomed to,” they stated.
They further emphasized, “If they can enjoy four-hour Marvel blockbusters, they are certainly capable of appreciating a three-hour French film. We need to reignite their passion for cinema as we experienced in our youth.” The directors expressed joy at witnessing families flock to theaters, affirming their belief that there is a place for such films in France. Their excitement was palpable, as they reflected on their success.
After the ceremony, many viewers took to social media to voice their disappointment that The Count of Monte Cristo secured only two César awards, which were categorized as technical honors. Support poured in for the team, who many felt had been overlooked.
In response to the outpouring of support, Pierre Niney expressed gratitude in a heartfelt post thanking the audience for their enthusiastic response. “THANK YOU for all your beautiful messages! I am incredibly proud of our costume and set teams who showcased their remarkable talents! Ultimately, your reception of the film is and will always be our greatest reward. Here’s to future dreams… See you soon!”