The Artist

The Artist

"The Artist" is a 2011 French comedy-drama film directed by Michel Hazanavicius, starring Jean Dujardin and Bérénice Bejo. The story takes place in Hollywood between 1927 and 1932 and focuses on a declining film star and a rising actress, as silent cinema falls out of fashion and is replaced by the talkies. Most of the film itself is silent; it was produced in black-and-white, and has received wide praise from critics and many accolades. Dujardin won the Best Actor Award at the 2011 Cannes Film Festival, where the film premiered.

The film was nominated for six Golden Globes, the most of any film from 2011, and won three; Best Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy, Best Original Score, and Best Actor - Motion Picture Musical or Comedy (Dujardin). In January 2012 the film was nominated for twelve BAFTAs and ten Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director and Best Original Screenplay for Hazanavicius, Best Actor in a Leading Role for Dujardin, and Best Actress in a Supporting Role for Bejo. In France, it has been nominated for ten César Awards, including Best Film, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Actress and Best Original Screenplay.