FRANCE’S Academy of Cinema Arts and Sciences on Wednesday morning unveiled the nominees for this year’s Cesar Awards — the country’s equivalent to the Oscars — during a press conference at the famed Fouquet’s restaurant on the Champs-Elysees in Paris.

    Foreign-language film Oscar nominee “Mustang” received nine mentions, including for best film, first film and director.

    Xavier Giannoli’s “Marguerite,” the tale of a wealthy woman in the 1920s who tries to become an opera singer despite limited talent, and Arnaud Desplechin’s Cannes Directors’ Fortnight opening film “My Golden Days,” about a man who looks back on his life, led the nominations with 11 each. Jacques Audiard’s Palme d’Or winner “Dheepan,” a crime drama, received nine noms.

    Cannes winners Vincent Lindon, who earned a prize for “The Measure of a Man,” and Emmanuelle Bercot, who won for “Mon Roi,” were mentioned in the best acting categories.

    Among the best film nominees are “Dheepan,” “Fatima,” “Measure of a Man,” “Marguerite,” “Mon Roi,” “Mustang” and “Standing Tall.”

    Best actress contenders include Catherine Deneuve and Isabelle Huppert, while the best actor nominees include Gerard Depardieu. Among the best foreign film nominees are “Birdman,” “Youth” and “Taxi.”

    “The Little Prince” is among the best animated film nominees, while “Dheepan” and “Mustang” are among the pics that will vie for best cinematography honors.

    Organizers also announced on Wednesday that Michael Douglas will receive an honorary Cesar at the upcoming ceremony. Academy president Alain Terzian and comedian Florence Floresti, who will host the show, read the list of nominees for the 41st annual awards.

    The ceremony will be held Feb. 26 at Paris’ Chatelet Theater. At last year’s Cesars, Aberrahmane Sissako’s “Timbuktu” took home seven trophies, including for best film, director, editing and cinematography.

    (SD-Agencies)