Daniel Auteuil Wins Jacques Deray Prize For Le Fil

On Monday, March 31, 2025, the prestigious Jacques Deray Prize for the best French crime film of the year was awarded to actor and director Daniel Auteuil for his film Le Fil at the Institut Lumière in Lyon. This year marks the 20th anniversary of the award, which honors the legacy of Jacques Deray, a notable Lyonnais director known for classics such as Borsalino, La piscine, and Flic story before his passing in 2003.

The Jacques Deray Prize is given annually to the best French crime film, celebrating the distinctive style of Deray, whose work often explored themes of crime, investigation, and noir. In a heartfelt acceptance speech, Auteuil reflected on the significance of the award, stating, "This prize touches me because it represents Jacques Deray. I am proud and honored that my name is associated with his. He marked me with his films imbued with a strong humanity, the immense authors with whom he worked. He is a director with whom I hoped to work."

Le Fil tells the gripping story of Jean Monier, played by Auteuil, a criminal lawyer who has sworn off defending criminals after a traumatic experience with a recidivist murderer. However, his conviction is tested when he meets Nicolas Milik, portrayed by Grégory Gadebois, a father accused of murdering his alcoholic wife. As Monier grapples with his own past and the moral complexities of the case, he finds himself drawn back into the world of law, determined to prove Milik's innocence.

In an interview, Auteuil shared his thoughts on the film, emphasizing the importance of portraying the everyday struggles of justice: "To make a crime film, it’s not enough to have an actor holding a gun: you need experience, a subject that strikes us. It’s a wonderful genre that allows for tragedy." His film, which runs for 1 hour and 50 minutes, is described as a classic courtroom drama that delves into the nuances of justice and human emotion.

Irène Jacob, actress and president of the Institut Lumière, praised Deray’s work, stating, "We know many of his films without necessarily identifying all his work, which explores each time an atmosphere, characters. There is a Jacques Deray signature, a love of cinema." She highlighted the importance of the prize in connecting contemporary filmmakers with the legacy of past masters.

The film Le Fil is not only a tribute to Deray but also a reflection of Auteuil's own cinematic journey. Despite previously stepping away from directing after a series of less successful films, Auteuil felt compelled to return to filmmaking. He was inspired by the true story of Ahmed, the real-life figure on whom Milik is based, whose tragic circumstances shed light on the complexities of legal defense.

In the film, Monier's journey is fraught with emotional turmoil as he confronts the possibility that Milik may not be the innocent man he believes him to be. The narrative oscillates between the compelling evidence against Milik and the doubts that plague Monier, encapsulating the tension between legal duty and personal conviction. Auteuil's portrayal of Monier is deeply nuanced, drawing inspiration from Paul Newman’s character in Sidney Lumet’s The Verdict, which has influenced many aspects of courtroom dramas.

As the film unfolds, viewers are taken through a labyrinth of courtroom proceedings, moral dilemmas, and the haunting question of guilt versus innocence. The film's release on Canal+ coincides with its recognition at the Institut Lumière, further amplifying its impact within the French cinematic landscape.

In a parallel narrative, Tulsa King, starring Sylvester Stallone, premiered on April 1, 2025, at 21:10 on W9. Stallone plays Dwight Manfredi, a 75-year-old mobster who, after spending 25 years in prison, attempts to reclaim his territory in New York but is instead sent to Tulsa, Oklahoma, where he must build a new criminal empire from scratch. This juxtaposition of crime narratives highlights the diverse storytelling present in contemporary cinema.

The Jacques Deray Prize continues to celebrate the rich tradition of French crime films, fostering a connection between past and present filmmakers. As Auteuil’s Le Fil takes its place among the greats, it reaffirms the power of cinema to explore profound human experiences and the complexities of justice.

As the film industry evolves, the lessons from Jacques Deray's legacy remain vital, reminding audiences of the enduring themes of morality, justice, and the human condition that resonate through every frame of a well-crafted crime film.