Los Angeles members of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences have screened all 93 foreign language submissions. The foreign language committee has met, reviewed the tabulations and added three “saves” to the six highest scoring films. There are now nine finalists for the Foreign Language Film Oscar.
Ruben Ostlund talks “The Square” [Interview]
Chile, “A Fantastic Woman,” Sebastián Lelio, director
Germany, “In the Fade,” Fatih Akin, director
Hungary, “On Body and Soul,” Ildikó Enyedi, director
Israel, “Foxtrot,” Samuel Maoz, director
Lebanon, “The Insult,” Ziad Doueiri, director
Russia, “Loveless,” Andrey Zvyagintsev, director
Senegal, “Félicité,” Alain Gomis, director
South Africa, “The Wound,” John Trengove, director
Sweden, “The Square,” Ruben Östlund, director
The biggest snub this year was Robert Campillo’s “BPM.” The French drama chronicling the work of ACT UP Paris won the Grand Prize at Cannes as well as Best Foreign Language Film from LAFCA, the NYFCC and the SFFCC, among others. It’s also both a Independent Spirit Award and Golden Globe nominee in their equivalent categories. While not as egregious as last year’s snub of “Elle” it will still be known as one of the biggest nomination misses in the history of this honor.
The other notable snub was Angelina Jolie’s “First They Killed My Father.” There was certainly a lot of controversy over the film including the fact that an American company, Netflix, funded the film. Jolie has also been a legal Cambodian citizen for over a decade, but it’s clear the Phase I committee didn’t take to the film overall. Word was the committee had doubts over its qualifications since it debuted at Telluride.
The Phase I committee, consisting of Los Angeles-based Academy members, screened the original submissions in the category between mid-October and December 11. The group’s top six choices, augmented by three additional selections voted by the Academy’s Foreign Language Film Award Executive Committee, constitute the shortlist.
Academy members are now eligible to participate in the nominations round of voting in New York, London, Los Angeles and, for the first time, the San Francisco Bay Area, will screen the nine shortlisted films in theaters over a three-day period from Friday, January 12, through Sunday, January 14. Three films will screen each day. Additionally, international members (who live outside of the U.K.) will be invited to opt-in to stream the nine shortlisted films on the Academy’s member site. Members must see all nine films before casting their ballots.
It’s worth noting the inclusion of international members to vote should help somewhat polarizing films, like “The Square” and “Foxtrot” make the cut. Maybe.
Nominations for the 90th Academy Awards®will be announced on Tuesday, January 23, 2018.