Sarkozy Congratulates Cotillard

Xinhua News Agency

PARIS -- French President Nicolas Sarkozy Monday sent his congratulations to Marion Cotillard, after the French actress won an Oscar for best actress for "a masterful interpretation" of Edith Piaf in the film "La Vie En Rose."

In a statement, the President said: "I wish to warmly congratulate Miss Marion Cotillard, who has just received an Oscar for best actress for her masterful interpretation of Edith Piaf in the film "La Vie En Rose" which was directed by Olivier Dahan.

In addition, the French head of state also commended both Didier Lavergne and Jan Archibald "very strongly for winning the Oscar for best makeup artists for the same film."

In the statement, President Sarkozy also addressed special congratulations to Philippe Pollet-Villard for his short-film, "Le Mozart des pickpockets," which won an Oscar in its category.

"These three Oscars exemplify the excellence of France's film industry which has continued to register impressive progress over time. The Oscars are also a great mark of recognition to the talents of the authors, artists and technicians working in the industry," said the head of state.

Marion Cotillard Sunday was named the winner of this year's Oscar for the best actress for her interpretation of renowned French singer Edith Piaf in "La Vie En Rose."

This was the first time that a French woman had won in the category for best actress since Catherine Deneuve was nominated for the same prize for her role in "Indochine" in 1993. So far, Simone Signoret was the only French woman to have won the Academy Award for best actress in 1960.

Elsewhere, Veronique Cayla, executive director of the National Center for Cinematography, Monday described as a "historic" occurrence the three Oscars that were won by France in Los Angeles, United States, Sunday night.

In a statement, Cayla said that "these historic triple winners, as are the awards from the Golden Globes and BAFTA, is a promising sign for the film industry in the country, if any evidence was needed to prove that the influence of our 7th art in all its diversity shines in its force beyond our borders, and particularly in the United States."

According to Cayla, the Academy Award for best actress that was attributed to Marion Cotillard for a superb portrayal of the life of French singer Edith Piaf "marked the first time that a role played entirely in French had won" in this category.

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