The Artist (2011) press stills, posters

The Artist is a 2011 French romantic comedy drama in the style of a black-and-white silent film directed by Michel Hazanavicius, starring Jean Dujardin and Bérénice Bejo. The story takes place in Hollywood, between 1927 and 1932, and focuses on the relationship of an older silent film star and a rising young actress, as silent cinema falls out of fashion and is replaced by the talkies.

The Artist 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 2011 film, and won three; Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy, Best Original Score, and Best Actor – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy for Dujardin. In January 2012 the film was nominated for twelve BAFTAs, also the most of any film from 2011, and won seven, the most wins of the night, including Best Film, Best Director and Best Original Screenplay for Hazanavicius, and Best Actor for Dujardin. It was nominated for ten Academy Awards and won five,[12] including Best Picture, Best Director for Hazanavicius, and Best Actor for Dujardin. It was the first mainly silent film to win Best Picture since 1927's Wings (the first recipient of the Best Picture Award, in 1929), the first film presented in the 4:3 aspect ratio to win since 1955's Marty, and the first non R-rated film to win Best Picture since 2004's Million Dollar Baby.

In France, it was nominated for ten César Awards, winning six, including Best Film, Best Director for Hazanavicius and Best Actress for Bejo. The Artist became the most awarded French film in history.



Cast

Jean Dujardin as George Valentin
Bérénice Bejo as Peppy Miller
Uggie as Jack (the dog)
John Goodman as Al Zimmer
James Cromwell as Clifton
Missi Pyle as Constance
Penelope Ann Miller as Doris Valentin
Malcolm McDowell as The Butler
Bitsie Tulloch as Norma
Beth Grant as Peppy's Maid
Ed Lauter as Peppy's First Chauffeur
Jen Lilley as Onlooker
Nina Siemaszko as Admiring Woman
Jewel Shepard as Flapper Starlet
Basil Hoffman as Auctioneer
Ben Kurland as Casting Assistant
Ken Davitian as Pawnbroker