'The Intouchables' Looks for 'Artist' Oscar Magic

The Intouchables, a cross-culture comedy which has become a global box office hit, is looking to tap into The Artist's Oscar magic.

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The feature from directors Olivier Nakache and Eric Toledano beat a tough group of competitors to emerge as France's official entry for the 2013 Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film.

France's Oscar nominating committee gave Intouchables the nod over Jacques Audiard's Rust and Bone, which many had tipped to be the French contender.

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Intouchables traces the true-life friendship between a rich handicapped white man and his black, ex-con caregiver. The film has been a monster success - both in France and internationally - where it has grossed close to $370 million worldwide, making it the most successful French-language film of all time.

In the United States, Intouchables, released by The Weinstein Company, has earned $11.6 million after more than 100 days in release, making it the top grossing foreign language film in the U.S. so far this year.

The Weinsteins, of course, ran The Artist's successful Oscar campaign and transmuted Academy Award glory into box office gold,  earning close to $45 million domestically with the black and white silent feature.