10.02.08
Cut-Off Day Was Yesterday, Rounding Up This Years Best Foreign Language Film Submissions
Wednesday saw the foreign language film selectors taking off their thinking caps and resting on the hope that their official submissions for Best Foreign Language Film appeal to the temperamental Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Cinematical notes that this year 51 countries submitted what they consider their finest products, from the usuals such as Italy and France, and others like Jordan who submitted a film, “Captain Abu Raed,” for the first time ever.
Most of the titles, which had to have played in their native countries for at least a one week run, us ordinary folk have never heard of, but quite a few of the submitted films have been bouncing around the festival circuit so their inclusion isn’t a surprise, and to our unknowing minds they seem to be the frontrunners for the gold too. France, who have submitted a film since 1965 when the category was first included in the official Oscar ceremony, selected the Palme d’Or winning “The Class,” over many other hopefuls including Philippe Claudel’s “I’ve Loved You So Long.” France has been nominated for more Foreign Language Oscars than any other country, but Italy holds the crown for the most wins. This year, they selected Matt Garone’s “Gomorrah” to represent their country, which won the Grand Prix at Cannes this year, over another Cannes-featured film “Il Divo.”
Turkey picked the freaky looking “Three Monkeys,” Israel the animated pseudo-documentary “Waltz With Bashir” and Norway the Cannes and Telluride tested “O’Horten.” So far that makes five highly regarded entries, and if someone asked me to place a bet on the final five to be picked, I’d hand them those five titles on the basis that I know little to nothing the other submitted films. At this point in time, it really is anyone’s guess.
Sweden chose “Everlasting Moments” by Academy Award Nominee Jan Troell (“The Emigrants”), which played at Toronto getting lukewarm reviews. Screen International said, “This picture has quality stamped all over it, awards are likely to come its way whether for direction.” Germany picked “The Baader Meinhof Complex,” which just opened there to a less than desirable box-office opening. Argentina went with Pablo Trapero’s “Lion’s Den,” which played at Cannes this year where Andrew O’Hehir said, “Lion’s Den” is marvelously shot and acted, constantly surprising.” Spain, who have 19 nominations and 4 wins in this category, chose “The Blind Sunflowers,” which failed to ignite Variety’s enthusiasm, “Top-notch cast feels wasted, with most of the content rerun from previous Civil War dramas.” Mexico chose “Tear Up My Life,” and their excellent “Silent Light” never made it past the shortlist last year.
Similar to Mexico’s unfortunate shut out last year, the same happened to Romania with their jaw-dropping “4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days.” This year, they are going with “The Rest is Silence.” India chose “Taare Zameen Par” by Aamir Khan, who was previously nominated in 2001 for “Lagaan,” and that film played in South Africa earlier this year but I didn’t see it. I’m sort of kicking myself now, lightly, but kicking nonetheless. For the complete list, Wikipedia has our backs. That list, of course, is the first of many, many shortlists to follow over the coming months and the final five is always completely unpredictable, so it will be most interesting to see how it all pans out.
This post was NOT courtesy of our friends at The Playlist, because I have now laid my temporary existential crisis where it belongs, in the back of my mind. So I’m back baby, flaws and all.
Kerry said,
October 2, 2008 at 8:39 pm
Awesome round up Nick! The coolest thing though, I don’t mean to brag here im just saying, is that I have seen the “Big Five” you highlight there. Super cool! Hope you a all get to see them soon too.
J.D. said,
October 2, 2008 at 10:16 pm
Didn’t Tell No One come out in France in 2006? So it couldn’t have been in contention for their submission?
…because I have now laid my temporary existential crisis where it belongs, in the back of my mind. So I’m back baby, flaws and all.
YAY!
k said,
October 2, 2008 at 10:53 pm
Was Tell No One eligible this year?
The Czech Republic submitted Karamazovi, which I think sounds really interesting, but it doesn’t have a US release date yet.
And, this is sort of relevant… I’m wondering about the Israeli film Strangers, if it’s eligible for any awards, because it features an original song by Glen Hansard, Markéta Irglová, and Eyal Leon Katzav.
Nick Plowman said,
October 2, 2008 at 11:05 pm
JD you are right. My bad. Tell No One wasn’t even eligible this year.
Oh wow, I never knew that about “Strangers,” not that I knew anything about it at all, but since it features music by those two super talented musicians, I’m definitely going to try find out. Thanks k. and JD.
k said,
October 2, 2008 at 11:13 pm
The song is up for download somewhere (an earlier recording, don’t remember where though), but someone put it up on YouTube set to clips of the films here.
Nick Plowman said,
October 2, 2008 at 11:22 pm
My lord, that sounds so great k, really. I’m going to go look for that download now… ;)
k said,
October 2, 2008 at 11:24 pm
I have it on my computer… I can put it up on MegaUpload and post the link here, if you’d like.
Nick Plowman said,
October 2, 2008 at 11:28 pm
I would absolutely LOVE that! If you could do that, I’d owe you, big time…
k said,
October 2, 2008 at 11:31 pm
No problem!
Here you go! Enjoy.
Kerry said,
October 2, 2008 at 11:52 pm
Wow, what a cool song!
Nick Plowman said,
October 3, 2008 at 12:05 am
k, you are officially my hero right now, you are so awesome. I’m actually just going to hug you I’m so grateful, *hug*
k said,
October 3, 2008 at 12:19 am
You’re very welcome, Nick!
J.D. said,
October 3, 2008 at 6:22 am
Holy Linney, that song is AMAZING. THANK YOU, K!!!!!!!
*joins the k-hug*
k said,
October 3, 2008 at 7:09 am
You’re welcome, JD.
Sam Juliano said,
October 3, 2008 at 1:50 pm
Some great stuff here, and yes a terrific song to boot! I am intrigued by this WALTZ WITH BASHIR!
Nick Plowman said,
October 3, 2008 at 2:40 pm
I just saw “Gomorrah,” and I think I can see “O’Horten” soon, but I want to see “Waltz With Bashir” more than any of the others, it looks great.
Kerry said,
October 3, 2008 at 3:28 pm
Enjoy Gomorrah Nick, it is excellent!
Nick Plowman said,
October 3, 2008 at 3:38 pm
That was what I had been told, and it was just as great as I expected.