"Emilia Pérez" and the Oscars: France's cultural Diplomacy Put to the Test

Every year, the Academy Awards transform into a battleground where artistic ambition meets global politics. In 2024, France entered the fray once more with Emilia Pérez, Jacques Audiard’s audacious blend of musical, thriller, and social drama. A film of remarkable creative ambition and international resonance, Emilia Pérez became more than a cinematic endeavor—it embodied France’s enduring commitment to cultural diplomacy through film. Despite its undeniable artistic merit and festival triumphs, its path to Oscar recognition underscores the evolving power dynamics of Hollywood and the persistent challenge of positioning French cinema within a system that increasingly prioritizes commercial imperatives over auteurist risk-taking.

A French Strategy for Global Visibility

France has long been at the forefront of international film diplomacy, recognizing cinema not just as an art form but as a pillar of cultural influence. Institutions such as UniFrance and the CNC have meticulously built an ecosystem where French films navigate the complexities of the global market. Emilia Pérez followed this well-honed strategy: a prestigious Cannes debut, a meticulously curated festival circuit, and strategic networking within the Academy voting sphere. Yet, its journey illuminated the shifting tectonics of industry recognition. While France remains a dominant force in auteur cinema, breaking into the Academy’s inner circle is a different challenge altogether, often requiring more than just artistic brilliance.

Hollywood’s Evolution: Between Industry Trends and Political Realities

Beyond its artistic aspirations, Emilia Pérez confronted a rapidly changing industry. In recent years, the Academy has taken deliberate steps toward diversifying its selection, elevating voices from regions historically underrepresented in Hollywood. While this shift has allowed for an expansion of perspectives, it has also led to an implicit restructuring of the industry’s priorities. The rise of Latin American and Asian cinema on the awards circuit has, paradoxically, made it more challenging for European arthouse films to claim their place, particularly when they do not align with dominant Hollywood narratives.

The film’s hybrid identity—a French-directed work with a Latin American setting and Spanish-language dialogue—placed it in an ambiguous position. It was celebrated across European and Latin American festival circuits, yet struggled to find a foothold in an Academy landscape increasingly shaped by Hollywood’s evolving discourse on representation, identity, and commercial viability. While the industry has opened up to new perspectives, the gatekeeping mechanisms of the Oscars remain firmly in place, favoring productions with strong U.S. distribution networks and financial backing capable of sustaining high-stakes awards campaigns.

The Stakes of French Cinema on the Oscar Stage

Historically, France has oscillated between triumph and frustration on the Academy Awards stage. Landmark victories, such as The Artist (2011) and Indochine (1992), stand as testaments to France’s ability to navigate the Hollywood system, while numerous films of exceptional artistic merit have faltered in the face of structural barriers. The case of Emilia Pérez encapsulates this ongoing struggle: it is not merely the story of a single film, but a reflection of the broader challenge of asserting French cinema’s place within an increasingly globalized yet commercially driven industry.

For France, cultural diplomacy is not just about exporting films; it is about sustaining a presence on the international stage, fostering cross-cultural dialogue, and ensuring that artistic risk continues to thrive. The lesson of Emilia Pérez is clear: recognition in Hollywood demands more than artistic excellence—it requires an acute understanding of the mechanisms that drive industry visibility. Whether through deeper international co-productions, strategic distribution partnerships, or a recalibrated awards campaign strategy, France must continually adapt to maintain its influence in an arena where cultural diplomacy and commercial imperatives are in constant negotiation.

Looking Forward: Reinventing the Playbook

While Emilia Pérez may not have secured the Oscar gold, its journey underscores the resilience and adaptability of French cinema. The future demands a reinvention of strategies—a move beyond traditional festival circuits toward a more aggressive positioning within the Hollywood ecosystem. As the industry evolves, so too must France’s approach, ensuring that its cinema remains not just an artistic force, but a formidable player in the global cultural arena. In this ever-shifting landscape, the challenge is clear: to assert the singularity of French storytelling while embracing the tools necessary to navigate an industry where visibility is as crucial as vision.