Blanc becomes 11th French actress to scoop Volpi Cup

by Fabien Lemercier

08/09/2008

By winning the Volpi Cup for Best Actress on Saturday evening at the 65th Venice Film Festival for her performance in The Other One [+see also:
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She follows in the footsteps of Nathalie Baye (1999), Catherine Deneuve (1998), Isabelle Huppert (lauded in 1995 and 1988), Sandrine Bonnaire (1995), Juliette Binoche (1993), Annie Girardot (1965), Delphine Seyrig (1963), Emmanuelle Riva (1962), Suzanne Flon (1961) and Annabella (1936).

Born in 1956, Blanc previously picked up the Cesar for Best Actress in 2001 for Stand-by and three Cesar awards for Best Supporting Actress: in 1999 for Those Who Love Me Can Take the Train, in 1993 for Indochina and in 1991 for Milou in May. She has also been nominated on four other occasions for the annual French film awards: as Best Female Newcomer in 1987 and 1990 (Woman of my Life and I’m the King of the Castle) and as Best Supporting Actress in 1995 and 2003 (Queen Margot and Special Delivery).

Blanc’s filmography also includes Lucas Belvaux’s trilogy and she is set to star in Safy Nebbou’s forthcoming Signé Dumas (“By Dumas”), alongside Gérard Depardieu and Benoît Poelvoorde.

The actress’ Venetian award also brings reflected glory to the directors of The Other One (Bernard and Trividic); to novelist Annie Ernaux whose book L’occupation (“The Occupation”) was the basis for the project; and to producer Patrick Sobelman of Ex Nihilo.

The film received an advance on receipts from the National Film Centre (CNC), as well as backing from Canal +, Ciné Cinéma and distribution company Ad Vitam, who will release the film domestically in March 2009 . Films Distribution are handling international sales.

(Translated from French)