Francois Ozon’s ‘The Stranger’ Tops France’s Lumières Awards as Richard Linklater Wins Best Director With ‘Nouvelle Vague’

Francois Ozon‘s “The Stranger,” an adaptation of Albert Camus’ literary masterpiece which world premiered at Venice, topped the 31st Lumières Awards, taking best Film, best Actor for Benjamin Voisin, and best cinematography for Manu Dacosse at a ceremony held Sunday at the Institut du Monde Arabe in Paris.

It marks Ozon’s first time winning best film at the Lumière Awards, after prior nominations in 2020 for “By the Grace of God,” and in 2021 for “Summer 85.” Voisin, who stars in “The Stranger” opposite Rebecca Marder, previously won best revelation for his role in “Summer 85.”

American filmmaker Richard Linklater, meanwhile, picked up best director for “Nouvelle Vague,” a black-and-white love letter to the French cinematic movement known as the New Wave. The film, which opened in competition at Cannes, also earned best male revelation for Guillaume Marbeck.

Considered France’s equivalent to the Golden Globes, the Lumières Awards are voted on by international journalists from 36 countries and are handed out during a ceremony that takes place roughly a month before the Cesar Awards and kicks off France’s awards season.

French star Léa Drucker won best actress for Dominik Moll’s Yellow Jacket drama “Case 137,” which also opened at Cannes. It was Druker’s first Lumière victory following nominations in 2019 for Xavier Legrand’s “Custody,” and 2024 with Catherine Breillat’s “Last Summer.”

Nadia Melliti, who won best actress at Cannes for her role in Hafsia Herzi’s “The Little Sister” won best female revelation; and another Cannes prizewinner, “The Secret Agent,” by Brazilian filmmaker Kleber Mendonça Filho, picked up best international co-production. The movie just nabbed a pair of Golden Globes — Wagner Moura for best actor and best international film.

Screenwriter-director Stéphane Demoustier won best screenplay for “L’Inconnu de la Grande Arche,” his second Lumière after a 2021 win for “La Fille au bracelet.”

The awards spread further across the slate with Pauline Loquès’ “Nino,” starring Théodore Pellerin, winning best first film; Ugo Bienvenu’s “Arco” named best animated feature; and Sepideh Farsi’s “Put Your Soul on Your Hand and Walk” taking best documentary. Best original music went to Warren Ellis, Dom La Nena and Rosemary Standley for “Le Chant des forêts,” directed by Vincent Munier.

Next up in France’s race will be the Cesar Awards which are scheduled to take place on Feb. 27 at the Olympia in Paris with Jim Carrey set as this year’s honorary Cesar recipient.