'' Madame Rosa '' 's release , at a time when U.S. President Jimmy Carter was negotiating a peace between Egyptian President Anwar Sadat and Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin , boosted its campaign at the Academy Awards , where it ultimately won for Best Foreign Language Film . While the film represented France , Mizrahi became the first Israeli director whose film won the award . Critic Molly Haskell believed the award , " in the principle of compensation " , was balanced by Vanessa Redgrave winning the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress , allowing Redgrave to make a controversial statement in favour of the Palestine Liberation Organization . In response to Redgrave 's speech , Mizrahi commented , " Basically , she 's right " . In France , Signoret won the César Award for Best Actress , which she had not received before
Academy Awards
50th Academy Awards
Madame Rosa