“Twilight” star Kristen Stewart made history during the 40th Cesar Film Awards held on February 20 at the Chatelet Theater in Paris, France, when she became the first ever American actress to win an award in the prestigious citation body.
The Cesar Film Awards is the French equivalent of the Oscar Awards and Kristen Stewart was named as Best Supporting Actress for her role in the film “Clouds of Sils Maria,” along with French actress Juliette Binoche, who was also nominated for Best Actress honors.
Before winning the award, Stewart also made history when she was nominated for the Best Supporting Actress honor, becoming the first American woman to be in the running at the Cesar Film Awards over the last 30 years, reports E! Online.
“Clouds of Sils Maria” is helmed by French director Olivier Assayas. The 24-year-old Stewart plays the personal assistant to star actress played by Binoche, and the story is about their intense and sexually-charged relationship.
Visibly stunned
Kristen Stewart was visibly stunned when she came to the stage to accept the Best Supporting Actress award.
She can’t contain her emotions when she was already in the stage that she had to put her hands to cover her mouth, as if in awe and disbelief that she just won the very prestigious award.
In making her acceptance speech, she nervously opened her notes and told the audience that she can’t even move her hands because the emotions and excitement were really enveloping her at that point.
After taking a deep breath, and expressing her gratitude in French, she went on with her acceptance speech in English.
She drew full support from fellow star Juliette Binoche and director Olivier Assayas both very happy for her and in all smiles from the audience.
Before going up the stage, Stewart even got thumbs-up and congratulatory hug from “Clouds of Sils Maria” co-star Juliette Binoche.
Proud of Juliette
During her acceptance speech for her Best Supporting Actress award, Stewart spoke how privileged she is for having had the opportunity to work with Juliette Binoche who is regarded as one of France’s leading ladies over the last 30 years. She even shouted and said ‘I love you Juliette’ in French.
Stewart’s role in “Clouds of Sils Maria” marks the return of the “Twilight” star to arthouse films. She made a name in Hollywood for playing the role of Bella, the love interest of Robert Pattinson’s Edward vampire character in the very successful “Twilight” series that had a total of five films beginning in November 2008 up to November 2012.
In addition to Kristen Stewart, there is another American who was honored during the 40th Cesar Film Awards in the person of two-time Oscar winner Sean Penn.
Penn received a Cesar lifetime achievement award which was widely applauded by the audience in the Chatelet Theater.