FIRST OFF . . .

Director Alain Cavalier’s “Therese” was the runaway winner at Saturday night’s annual French film awards--the Cesars--in Paris. The film, a chronicle of the life of Saint Therese of Lisieux, took six awards, including best film, best director and best script. Star Catherine Mouchet won for the best female newcomer. Other winners included Sabine Azema for best actress in Alain Resnais’ “Melo” and Daniel Auteuil for best actor in “Jean de Florette,” the French cinema’s biggest 1986 box-office hit. American jazz musician Herbie Hancock was honored for the best musical score for “ ‘Round Midnight” directed by Bernard Tavernier. The award for the best foreign film went to a Frenchman--Jean-Jacques Annaud for “The Name of the Rose.” Its star Sean Connery presided over the ceremony with French actress Jeanne Moreau. Director Jean-Luc Godard received a special award for his film-making career.