- Mozambique vote: no suspense but some disillusion
- Austrian rapper channels anti-racist rage in Romani hip-hop songs
- Ohtani magic powers Dodgers over Padres in MLB playoff thriller
- Five of the best: Pakistan-England Test thrillers
- Man sets arm on fire as marches across US mark Gaza war anniversary
- Vietnam's young coffee entrepreneurs brew up a revolution
- Trump rallies at site of failed assassination: 'Never quit'
- Too hot by day, Dubai's floodlit beaches are packed at night
- Is music finally reckoning with #MeToo?
- Fans hail Trump's 'guts' as he returns to site of rally shooting
- Lebanon state media says 'very violent' Israeli strikes hit south Beirut
- Guardians maul Tigers, miracle Mets rally in MLB series openers
- Lebanon state media says Israeli strikes hit south Beirut
- Miami on track for MLS record points after win in Toronto
- Madrid beat Villarreal but Carvajal suffers knee injury
- Madrid beat Villarreal to move level with Liga leaders Barcelona
- Monaco take top spot in Ligue 1 with win at Rennes
- French rugby player on rape charge whistled but 'serene' on return
- Madrid beat Villarreal to level Liga leaders Barca
- Thuram treble fires Inter past Torino and up to second
- 'Fight': defiant Trump jets in to site of rally shooting
- Toddler among 3 dead in migrant Channel crossings
- Mexico City's new mayor sworn in with pledges on water, housing
- Israel on alert ahead of Hamas attack anniversary
- Guardians maul Tigers in MLB playoff series opener
- Macron criticises Israel on Gaza, Lebanon operations
- French rugby player whistled but 'serene' on return amid ongoing rape case
- Kovacic stars as Man City sink Fulham to get title bid back on track
- Retegui hat-trick fires five-star Atalanta to hammering of Genoa
- Heavyweights Australia, England off to World Cup winning starts
- Visiting UN refugee agency chief decries 'terrible crisis' in Lebanon
- Spinners come to party as England defeat Bangladesh at T20 World Cup
- Search continues for missing in deadly Bosnia floods
- Man City sink Fulham to get title bid back on track
- France's Auradou whistled on Pau return in Perpignan loss amid ongoing rape case
- A 'forgotten' valley in storm-hit North Carolina, desperate for help
- Arsenal hit back in style after Southampton scare
- Thousands march for Palestinians ahead of Oct 7 anniversary
- Hezbollah heir apparent Safieddine out of contact after strikes
- Liverpool stay top of Premier League as Arsenal, Man City win
- In dank Tour of Emilia, Pogacar shines in rainbow jersey
- DR Congo launches mpox vaccination drive, hoping to curb outbreak
- Trump returns to site of failed assassination
- Careless Leverkusen held to Bundesliga draw
- O'Brien's 'superstar' Kyprios posts landmark win on Arc weekend
- Toddler crushed to death in migrant Channel crossing
- Liverpool suffer Alisson injury blow
- Habosi helps Racing beat Vannes before Auradou's playing return
- Thousands march in London in support of Palestinians, 1 year after Oct 7
- Israel readying response to Iran missile attack
With 'CODA,' French producer revisits story and heads to Oscars
"CODA" producer Philippe Rousselet is pleased, but not surprised, that his heartwarming drama about a deaf family is now a hot favorite for best picture at the Oscars on Sunday.
He always knew the story was good -- so good he made it twice.
"'La Famille Belier' was a formidably successful comedy, as we like them in France," Rousselet told AFP, referring to the original on which the Apple TV+ hit is based.
"With 'CODA,' (director) Sian Heder has made it an American film as Americans like them -- more of a dramatic comedy.
"I think both films took the best of what we know how to do in each country."
By domestic French standards, "La Famille Belier" (The Belier Family) was a hit, with three million people seeing it in theaters after its release in late 2014.
"CODA" (an acronym for Child of Deaf Adults) had only a limited theatrical run and then went straight to streaming, where it has been an audience hit that has also pleased critics.
Both movies follow the fortunes of a high school teen as she juggles her musical ambitions with her family's dependence on her to communicate with the hearing world.
In both versions, much of the dialogue is done in sign language.
To make "CODA," Emilia Jones, who plays teenager Ruby, and writer-director Heder both learned to sign.
But while "La Famille Belier" featured hearing stars playing deaf characters, the equivalent roles in "CODA" went to lesser-known actors who are deaf -- the exception being past Oscar winner Marlee Matlin ("Children of a Lesser God," "The West Wing").
"French films are largely financed by television. To make 'La Famille Belier,' we had to have known and recognized actors," explains Rousselet.
Ten years later, "it was obvious to us that we had to make 'CODA' with deaf actors."
- Reputation -
"CODA" has gathered a head of steam in recent weeks, its reputation swelling as it picked up awards from the Screen Actors Guild, the Producers Guild of America and the BAFTAs.
It is now neck-and-neck in most predictions for the top Oscars prize of best picture with "The Power of the Dog," Jane Campion's brooding Western about toxic masculinity.
Adding to its momentum is that Troy Kotsur seems to be a shoo-in for best supporting actor honors, for his funny and moving portrayal of Ruby's eccentric father.
Like its predecessor, "CODA" was made relatively cheaply, its $15 million budget less than a tenth of the cost of special effects-laden blockbuster "Dune" -- a fellow best picture nominee.
"It's not really a question of budget; the story is unique and very strong," says Rousselet.
"This film deserves to be where it is in this period in which we live. It's an important film, a film that does good."
And since the second time around is working out so well, the story looks like it's going to get a third outing.
Rousselet is already working on a Broadway adaptation in the form of a musical, in partnership with a theater company composed of deaf actors.
And success on the New York stage won't be a surprise to Rousselet either.
It's all down to the content, he says.
"It touches people and brings them together with its human values."
M.Fischer--AMWN