SO, if Marion Cotillard can claim an Oscar what are the chances of another French actress, Yolande Moreau, being in the running this time?

There is no doubt she deserves acclaim for her mesmerising performance as Seraphine, the poor cleaner who became recognised as a great painter.

The talent of Seraphine Louis was discovered by chance by German art critic Wilhelm Uhde, who was one of the first collectors of the work of Picasso.

Uhde was at a dinner party when he remarked on the brilliance of a painting, to be told it was the work of his cleaner.

Fate transpired against Seraphine, however, because Uhde had to flee France at the outbreak of the First World War and the pair did not meet again for another 13 years.

He then exhibited her work but was unaware of her very fragile mental state and the effect success would have on her.

The story is fascinating and true (Seraphine's work is now in art galleries all over the world), the film's cinematography is sumptuous. Moreau has already been hailed as best actress at four award ceremonies in Europe. She deserves to be nominated for the big one.