The Artist is a 2011 French romantic comedy drama in the style of a Silent film. Directed by Michel Hazanavicius, starring Jean Dujardin and Bérénice Bejo. Most of the film is silent, except for two scenes of notable sound, (one being a nightmare sequence and the other being the final scene in the movie, where two characters speak) and the non-diegetic soundtrack; it was produced in black-and-white; and in the older 4:3 aspect ratio. 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, including Best Picture, Best Director for Hazanavicius, and Best Actor for Dujardin. It was the first silent film to win Best Picture since 1929's Wings (the first recipient of the Best Picture Award), 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.
Source: www.wikipedia.org
