'Mesrine' Up For Ten Césars

A double feature about the life of French gangster Jacques Mesrine has been nominated for ten Césars, including a Best Cinematography nom for DDA DP Robert Gantz.
The twin features, entitled 'Mesrine: Part 1 - Death Instinct' and 'Mesrine: Part 2 - Public Enemy #1', were directed by Jean-François Richet and are based on Mesrine's autobiography, "L'instinct de mort".
The two-parter is also up for top prize: French film of the year.
The 'Mesrine' films star Vincent Cassel ('Eastern Promises') in the titular role, along with Gerard Depardieu as a crime boss and co-stars Cécile de France ('A Secret'), Ludivine Sagnier ('Swimming Pool'), Mathieu Amalric ('Quantum of Solace') and Samuel Le Bihan ('Disco').
The project was shot entirely in France and filming spanned a whole year. Gantz says his immersion in French culture, language, politics and lifestyle while shooting the project marks one of the most rewarding experiences he has had as a cinemtographer to date.
Gantz's first collaboration with Richet came in 2005 with 'Assault on Precinct 13', a reimagining of the original 1976 John Carpenter movie starring Laurence Fishburne and Ethan Hawke.
Variety's Joe Leydon praised Gantz's "invaluable contribution" and action-shooting aptitude, stating "assaults and interactions are all the more effective because spatial relationships are cleanly defined."
The César Awards are the national film awards of France, widely recognised as the 'French Oscars'. The ceremony will be held on February 27 at the Théåtre du Chåtelet in Paris.
(KMcA/BMcC)