Director Xavier Legrand's family drama "Custody" won the best film prize at the 44th Cesar Awards in Parison Friday.

Director Xavier Legrand receives his Cesar Best Film Award for the film “Custody” during the 44th Cesar Film Awards ceremony, in Paris, Friday, Feb 22, 2019. [Photo: AP]

"Custody," Legrand's first feature-length movie, is about domestic violence and a divorced couple's custody battle over their son.

At France's most prestigious film prizes, the drama film took also three other awards - best original screenplay, best leading actress, and best editing.

"When we made the film in 2016, 123 women were killed by their partner or ex-partner" in France, Legrand said as he received the award.

French actress Lea Drucker plays Miriam, a fragile and battered mother struggling to recover after her divorce and fighting to protect her son from his violent father.

At the presenting ceremony, Drucker dedicated the prize to all the women who are not living a fiction but a tragic reality.

"I am proud of this story of a woman told by a man. I would like to salute all those who defend the cause of women despite torrents of insults," she added.

A big favorite "Sink or Swim," which had a strong showing with 10 nominations, won only one trophy for best supporting actor.

Held at the Salle Pleyel, the evening was presided over by British actress Kristin Scott Thomas and hosted by French comedian Kad Merad.