France confers top film award on 'Seraphine'

The French film industry gave Dustin Hoffman a special Cesar for his body of work and saluted Sean Penn at the Friday night ceremony. But France's coveted Cesar award for best movie went to a very French film, Martin Provost's "Seraphine," based on magical true-life story. It swept seven prizes.

A somber note clouded the festive 34th annual Cesar awards. The all-time box office hit for a French film, "Bienvenue chez les Ch'tis," being remade in the United States by Will Smith as "Welcome to the Sticks," failed to take an honor in the only category for which is was nominated, best original scenario. That Cesar went to "Seraphine."

The comedy directed by comedian Dany Boon, centered on the people of northern France, long the object of jokes, broke all box-office records for a French film, behind "Titanic." Boon had criticized the Cesar's failure to come up with a comedy category and had been expected to boycott the ceremony. He showed up in bright orange sweat pants topped by a tux jacket _ and went home empty-handed.

Yolande Moreau, who plays Seraphine, was awarded the Cesar for best actress for her portrayal of the dimwitted maid whose talents as a painter were discovered by a German art collector on the eve of World War I. The film is based on the life of the painter, known as Seraphine of Senlis. Paris' Musee Mayol recently exhibited her works.

The Cesar for best actor went to Vincent Cassel in "Mesrine," another story based on real life, this time the tale of a gangster. "Mesrine" won three Cesars, including the best director award to Jean-Francois Richet.

Dustin Hoffman, now 71, received a special Cesar, a day after the two-time Oscar winner was named an honorary commander in France's National Order of Arts and Letters.

He fought back tears Thursday. On Friday, he was visibly awkward _ and admitted it when collecting the Cesar to a standing ovation.

"I never learned how to bow," Hoffman said, adding that only acting made him feel sure of himself and declaring before leaving the stage, "I ain't finished yet."

Sean Penn, the other guest of honor, presented the best film award to Martin Provost for "Seraphine." His own movie, "Into the Wild," missed the best foreign film award which went to the Israeli animated documentary by Ari Folman "Valse avec Bachir" (Waltz With Bashir), winner of the Golden Globe and loser at the Oscars.

Another Oscar loser, "Entre les murs" (The Class) _ which won the Cannes film festival last year _ took home the Cesar for best adaptation. The Paris high school class that the film was based on presented the award for best set design _ which went to Thierry Francois for "Seraphine."