To many Oscar observers, there are already a ton of questions about this year’s Best Picture race. How many films will actually get nominated? Can Netflix actually land three Best Picture nominees? Will any films be seen in theaters before voting begins? But, one individual category that is even more wide open and puzzling for even the most veteran awards season strategist is the battle for the International Film, formerly Foreign Language Film, Oscar.
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On pace for potentially a record number of submissions, the International Film Oscar has taken on greater significance in recent years with winners “Amour” and “Roma” also earning Best Picture nods, Asghar Farhadi‘s “The Salesman” 2017 triumph seen as a rebuke by AMPAS members of the Trump Administration’s “Muslim Ban,” Sebastián Lelio‘s “A Fantastic Woman” being a landmark moment for transgender representation in film and, of course, Bong Joon Ho’s “Parasite” becoming the first non-English language film to win Best Picture. The International Film Committee has also modified the process to allow more members to participate in the first phase of voting and more volunteers worldwide. What was once a category seemingly determined by semi-retired members in LA, NY, and London with a lot of time on their hands is now decidedly not (although those older members still influence the shortlist and nominees).
And, in case you forgot, members volunteer in phase one to watch and grade at least 10-12 films (it’s unclear what the number will be this year). They can also watch and grade more, beyond the minimum requirement. The seven highest-ranked features automatically make it to the 10 feature “shortlist” which includes three films chosen by the International Film Committee as “saves.” This is to ensure that lauded films make the cut before phase two voting results in the final five nominees. And, of course, to try to avoid institutional embarrassment after numerous modern classics didn’t make the cut (see 2007 when “Four Months, 3 Weeks and Two Days” was snubbed).
This year has also already seen four nations make either controversial or very tough choices as their submission. India picked Lijo Jose Pellissery’s “Jallikattu” over Chaitanya Tamhane‘s “The Disciple,” a Venice Film Festival favorite which was likely an easy committee shortlist save. Mexico selected Fernando Frías’s “I’m No Longer Here” over Michael Franco’s “New Order” and Heidi Ewing’s “I Carry You With Me.” France chose Filippo Meneghetti’s “Deux (Two of Us)” over Francois Ozon’s “Summer of 85” and Maïmouna Doucouré’s “Cuties,” among others. Italy selected Gianfranco Rosi’s documentary “Notturno” over “The Life Ahead” starring the legendary Sofia Loren, a Netflix film that has already been a massive “hit” in numerous countries for the streaming platform and finds the screen legend potentially in line for her first Oscar nomination since 1965.
Throw in the fact that there have been almost no in-person festivals to gauge audience reaction to these contenders and there’s a lot to unpack for anyone trying to predict a majority of the shortlist. An announcement that won’t arrive, mind you, until February 9.
Keeping all that in mind, here’s a preliminary look at 15 films that are at least in play for the International Film Oscar in 2021.
“Another Round” – Denmark
Centered around a great performance by Mads Mikkelsen, the latest Thomas Vinterbeg endeavor is the closest thing to a lock for a nomination
“Collective” – Romania
One of the most critically acclaimed films of the year. Is it “cinematic” enough to earn a nod?
“Apples” – Greece
Unexpectedly timely.
“Quo Vadis, Aida?” – Bosnia and Herzegovina
Venice. Toronto. Sticks with you. Feels like a shortlist selection.
“Deux (Two of Us)” – France
The French have sort of cornered the market on great Lesbian love stories over the past decade.
“Charlatan” – Czech Republic
An Oscar nominee in the Adapted Screenplay category for “Europa Europa” in 1992 and in the International Film category for “In Darkness” in 2012, the celebrated Polish filmmaker Agnieszka Holland‘s new biopic is now Czech’s submission.
“Beginning” – Georgia
Powerful, but a tough watch. Potential committee save.
“La Llorona” – Guatemala
Could be a surprise year-end favorite of major critics groups.
“Notturno” – Italy
More “cinematic” than “Collective,” but less critically acclaimed.
“Night of the Kings” – Ivory Coast
NEON’s first player in this category after guiding “Parasite” to Oscar glory in February.
“True Mothers” – Japan
Originally intended for Cannes, debuted at San Sebastian and Venice instead. This is Naomi Kawase‘s first Oscar submission.
“I’m No Longer Here” – Mexico
Alfonso Cuaron and Guillermo del Toro are big fans. As you’d expect, Netflix is letting the Academy know.
“Never Gonna Snow Again” – Poland
I’m not an Academy member, but it made my top 10 films of the year.
“Dear Comrades!” – Russia
NEON’s second player in this category.
“My Little Sister” – Switzerland
Melodrama with fantastic performances and, oh yeah, tear-inducing.
For more official international submissions click here.
2021 Oscar Contenders and Predictions
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