Maïwène Barthélémy, the 22-year-old agricultural student, recently made headlines by winning the César Award for Best Female Revelation for her role as Marie-Lise in the film Vingt Dieux. This remarkable achievement has taken the young woman from Raincourt, Haute-Saône, from the milking parlor to the glamorous stage of the Olympia theater on February 28, 2025.
Barthélémy’s path to stardom began quite unexpectedly. With no prior experience in theater or acting, she humorously recounted to France 3, "C'est parti d'un délire avec une copine, je me suis retournée en cours, je lui ai dit: 'Oh viens, on va faire le casting pour rigoler.' Et en fait, c'est devenu de plus en plus sérieux." This casual decision to audition led her to be noticed by the film's director, Louise Courvoisier.
Vingt Dieux, described as both touching and humorous, portrays the challenges faced by the youth of Jura, highlighting the stark realities of rural life. The film's protagonist, Totone, finds himself suddenly responsible for his family's welfare, compelling him to produce the best local comté cheese. Barthélémy’s character, Marie-Lise, proves to be integral to his efforts, as she manages her family’s dairy farm. This realistic depiction of agricultural life was one of the reasons for the film's acclaim, earning it the César for Best First Film and recognition at last year's Cannes Film Festival.
During her speech at the César ceremony, Barthélémy expressed her pride: "Je suis fière de représenter mon quotidien, le travail d'agricultrice, que je suis fière de représenter ici ce soir." Her authentic performance, emphasized by her regional accent and natural demeanor, was noted as refreshing and genuine, far removed from the theatrical norms many have come to expect.
The accolades didn’t stop there. Vingt Dieux earned other nominations including Best Original Score, Best Original Screenplay, and of course, Best Female Revelation for Barthélémy. Her vibrant energy and authenticity offered audiences and judges alike something genuine, drawing from her own experiences as the daughter of farmers.
Following her award win, Maïwène reflected on the sudden shift from student to actress, expressing her surprise at how quickly her life has changed: "Oh la vache ! Je ne pensais pas que depuis ma campagne, il y a un an et demi, je serais là ce soir et j'aurais cette récompense". This statement clearly captures the astonishment and joy she feels about her newfound recognition.
While Barthélémy has tasted the glitz and glamour of film festivals, she remains grounded. Currently pursuing her agricultural studies through BTS production animale at Vesoul, she grapples with aspirations both on and off the screen. "Je ne fixe aucune attente, mais ce sera une nouvelle expérience", she said, staying open to the idea of future roles as long as they don’t derail her dream of working with animals.
During the production of Vingt Dieux, Barthélémy and her colleagues were offered significant support by Courvoisier, who had ambitions to highlight produce from the Jura region and showcase authentic agricultural life. Courvoisier described her mission as wanting her characters to feel real and relatable, stating, "L'accent est important, mais ils expriment aussi beaucoup par leur seule manière de bouger".
Barthélémy's drop-in to the film industry was not simply for spectacle; it was about sharing her reality with audiences. The film was not merely the glamorized look at youth life but was rooted deep within real agricultural practices, something she proudly highlighted at the César Awards when accepting her statuette. It illustrated her gratitude not just to Courvoisier but to everyone who supported her along the way, including her on-screen partner Clément Faveau. "Je tiens à partager cette statuette avec mon partenaire Clément Faveau", she stated during her emotional speech.
The moment was both celebratory and humbling as Barthélémy stood there, receiving recognition for what has been both her life's reality and newfound passion. Despite the accolades, she remains committed to her roots, emphasizing, "C'est un métier passion, tu te rends compte que tu fais des heures mais tu ne sais pas faire autre chose, c'est dans le sang". Her confidence and sense of identity shine brightly, ensuring her story is one of determination and authenticity.
Looking forward, Maïwène Barthélémy maintains her connection with agriculture, showcasing her deep interests and long-term goals of maintaining her family’s legacy. While she embraces potential acting roles, her heart remains with her agricultural dreams. Her charming spirit and sincere acknowledgments during the César ceremonies adequately capture not only her surprise at this beautiful turn of events but her grounding experiences within the agricultural community.
Through her story, Barthélémy demonstrates to the world not only the importance of agriculture but also how passion—whether on screen or behind the scenes—can continually shape one's path toward success.