Kristen Stewart Creates History: Becomes First American Actress To Win A Cesar Award For Her Role In 'Clouds Of Sils Maria'

Kristen Stewart has left her teenage “Twilight” past behind has become the first U.S. actress to win a Cesar award at the 40th Cesar Awards ceremony in Paris on Feb 20, 2015. The Cesar Awards are the French equivalent of the Oscar Awards. Kristen won the Best Supporting Actress award for her role in the film “Clouds of Sils Maria.”

The actress expressed her gratitude for her co-star in the film, Juliette Binoche. "I love you Juliette,” said an elated Kristen in her acceptance speech. Kristen looked surprised when she accepted the award on stage. The actress was wearing a beautiful white off shoulder dress that ended at her ankles. Kristen highlighted her eyes in green colour and looked stylish. The actress wore no accessories and her short hair fell on one side of her face in lose waves.

Backstage, Kristen praised the French film makers for their passion towards cinema. “The reasons why people make films here in France are very different from the reasons why people make movies in Hollywood and I prefer it here a little bit,” Stewart is quoted as saying by Variety. According to the magazine, the 24-year-old will also appear in another French film, details of which are unknown.

According to Daily Mail, Kristen's award also marks the first time an American actress has been nominated for the Cesar award in last three decades. In 1984, American Opera singer Julia Migenes was also nominated for her work in the film “Carmen” but she did not win it. In 2003, U.S. actor Adrien Brody won the Best Actor Cesar for his role in “The Pianist.” In 2003, Meryl Streep was awarded an honorary Lifetime Achievement Cesar Award. But Kristen is the first actress to win the award for her work in the film. Streep's 2003 Cesar award is different as she was given the honorary award.

In “Clouds of Sils Maria,” the short-haired actress plays the role of a young loyal assistant Valentine, who works for an aging film star Maria Enders (played by Juliette Binoche). The film, directed by Olivier Assayas, also stars Chloë Grace Moretz. “Clouds of Sils Maria” will be released in limited U.S. cinemas on April 10 while in UK it will release a month later, on May 15. However, the biggest winner of the award was “Timbuktu,” that took home seven gongs, including Best Film and Best Director. Actor Sean Penn was also felicitated with a Lifetime Achievement award at the ceremony.

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