From the original 63 films that had been ruled eligible for the Best Foreign Language category, we are now down to just 9. There aren’t any huge exclusions, but it’s definitely not the shortlist that I was expecting. Anyway, here are the flicks still in play for the nomination:
Belgium, “Bullhead,” Michael R. Roskam, director;
Canada, “Monsieur Lazhar,” Philippe Falardeau, director;
Denmark, “Superclásico,” Ole Christian Madsen, director;
Germany, “Pina,” Wim Wenders, director;
Iran, “A Separation,” Asghar Farhadi, director;
Israel, “Footnote,” Joseph Cedar, director;
Morocco, “Omar Killed Me,” Roschdy Zem, director;
Poland, “In Darkness,” Agnieszka Holland, director;
Taiwan, “Warriors of the Rainbow: Seediq Bale,” Wei Te-sheng, director.
-Off of the top of my head, the notable exclusions are The Flowers of War and Miss Bala, but I’m confident there are others I just haven’t thought of at the moment…
-Thoughts? Discuss on the Forum!
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Just like their documentary picks, the Academy never fails to confuse me. No 13 Assassins OR Elite Squad 2? That’s crazy to me because they were 2 of the best foreign films I’ve seen this year.
They were never voting for a sequel to a film they likely never bothered with in the first place…
I don’t know about that. The original won the Golden Bear and this one got plenty of attention, at least from mainstream critics. I think it just wasn’t their cup of tea.
In the end though, A Separation should win this by a landslide. Definitely one of the best movies of the year.
I wouldn’t bet against it.
I’m here for In Darkness… This is a film from my country. Oscars would say sorry for not giving an award for Wajdas Katyń back then… It was front runner. I can’t believe we’re so close this year in the competition.
MONSIEUR LAZHAR selected what a good surprise, hope it will make it as incendies last year… french canadian films are booming! A Speration here was obvious, good to see Pina to. A great shorlist overall, just sad not seing 13 assasins, flowers of war, la guerre est déclarée and la piel que habito, but as the later wasn’t the spanish choice the absence of the film was sure.
Kudos on Monsieur Lazhar…an outstanding film…
Le Havre was probably the biggest snub. A Separation has seemed the frontrunner here for so long. But if you look at the last few years, the frontrunners never seem to do too well in the end (think: The White Ribbon/A Porphet, Pan’s Labyrinth, The Class, and Biutiful/Incendies – all losers in years they were expected to win). There are two films I think could do well here if A Separation falls short: In Darkness seems to be next in line to win, but a sleeper pick of mine is Monsieur Lazhar. The former being a holocaust film that the Academy might eat up, the latter being an inspirational film about a teacher. That being said, it will be really hard to bet against A Separation.
Mark…somehow check out Monsieur Lazhar…that in my humble estimation might sneak A Separation and your hunch is astute I think. I am trying to figure out how to get In Darkness in front of my eyes, because Oscar loves movies about that limitless period of our history…
As you well know…I am fully on board with A Separation and foolishly cling to hoping it pops in a couple other categories (it won’t…).
Pina just seemed very one-note to me. A beautiful and effective note, but simply one-note indeed…
I definitely want to see all 5, but it is a rarity for Cleveland to get more than one before Oscar night. Glad to hear you think Monsieur Lazhar has a shot! Aside from being something that might be baity, it looks really good.
I’m a bit disappointed. Honestly France’s Declaration of War and Mexico’s Miss Bala were superior to Pina as you saw from my review. I really thought Piña would take best documentary, because it has more of a doc feel to it than an actual compelling narrative film. I would like to see Le Havre. Hope A Separation wins.
Surprised at the snub for La Havre, but pleased at the inclusion of Footnote. A Separation is likely to win.
As stated before…try to seek out Monsieur Lazhar…a terrific and moving film…one that sneaks up on you…
That’s too sad. Mexico is out of the competition again. I think that my country had his best chance back in 2006 with Pan’s Labyrinth..
And well, about the nominees I Think that “A separation” is the movie with more chances to win
No Kid with a Bike, No Mill and the cross, No Michael? Fuck Pina.
I was wondering more about Nandine Labaki’s Where Do We Go Now. The Toronto love didn’t seem to help much. Also considering the Academy’s love for auteur, I am pretty surprised at the exclusion of Le Havre.
Bleh, no Le Havre or Turin Horse. I knew hoping that the Academy would recognize a freaking Bela Tarr movie was a hopeless cause.