Foreign Oscar Updates: 15 Official Submissions & Much More
Wednesday, September 4, 2013 at 11:32AM Another week, another 10+ submissions for Best Foreign Language Film Oscar race. We're up to 15 official titles now (which means there are about 50 to go). We previously covered Germany's finalist list but they didn't go with the youthful hit comedy Oh Boy after all but with the drama Two Lives, which we highlighted as a strong possibility given its war themes and the presence of Liv Ullman in the cast list.
But the German news is just scratching the surface of what's going on in the Best Foreign Language Film Oscar race.
FINALISTS AND SPECULATION
"Thy Womb"'s Nora Aunor won several Best Actress prizes at festivals
THE PHILIPPINES
They've recently announced a list of 8 finalists although, to make things confusing, they are still willing to look at more films that aren't on the list in case of late arrivals to the cinema. But chances are the film will come from this list: Supremo, Boses, El Presidente, Thy Womb (from the acclaimed Brillante Mendoza), Dance of the Steel Bars (inspired by a true story of prison inmate dancing videos going viral), Pinoy superstar Eugene Domingo (Ploning, The Woman in the Septic Tank) might be representing her country again in Tuhog, and finally director Erik Matti has two opportunities for submission since he has two films on the list On the Job and Tiktik: The Aswang Chronicles. You may recall I was bummed that The Phillipines missed last year since I loved their entry Bwakaw. They've yet to be nominated for an Oscar.
"I Am Yours" might be the submission from Norway
NORWAY
I was just visiting earlier this summer! Norway has announced their three finalists for Oscar submission. The Norwegian Oscar committee will be choosing between Arild Østin Ommundsen’s It’s Only Make Believe (Eventyrland) about a woman convicted for shooting two people who is released from prison, Erik Skjoldbjærg’s Pioneer about a deep sea diver, and Iram Haq’s I Am Yours (Jeg er din) about a Norwegian Pakistani woman falling in love. The latter starsOla Rapace (the ex Mr. Noomi who was recently in Skyfall) and Amrita Acharia and I'm hoping to see it at TIFF. None of these directors have been submitted in previous years. Norway won't be announcing their official candidate until September 20th. The land of the midnight sun has been nominated for the Oscar fem ganger (most recently last season with Kon-Tiki) but has yet to win the gold.
Fernanda Montenegro in "Time and the Wind"BRAZIL
Brazil has not released a finalist list or an official submission but longtime fans of this category (and of The Film Experience which has always had a loyal following in Brazil!) should note that it's very possible that Fernanda Montenegro, Best Actress nominated for Central Station (1998), could be back on Academy screens. The 83 year old acting icon co-stars in the lush period drama Time and the Wind. It’s from director Jayme Monjardim, whose film Olga was submitted in its year, and it’s based on a beloved series of historical novels set in the colonial era.
MEXICO & PORTUGAL
They've both released very long finalists lists of 15 and 16 films respectively. Here is Mexico's list and Portugal's (which is harder to read). Any guesses?
15 ½ OFFICIAL SUBMISSIONS THUS FAR
AUSTRIA The Wall
BULGARIA Colour of the Chameleon
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC Who's the Boss?
FINLAND The Disciple
GERMANY Two Lives
GREECE Boy Eating the Bird's Food
HUNGARY The Notebook
LUXEMBOURG Blind Spot
MONTENEGRO Debut Submission! Bad Destiny
NEPAL Soongava: Dance of the Orchids
THE NETHERLANDS Borgman --Though it's been referred to in some articles here and there as the Dutch Oscar entry, this is not official (yet). Just widely assumed
ROMANIA Child's Pose
SINGAPORE Ilo Ilo
SOUTH KOREA Juvenile Offender
TURKEY The Butterfly's Dream
VENEZUELA Breach in the Silence
Nepal is sending the lesbian romantic drama "SOONGAVA: DANCE OF THE ORCHIDS
MORE (INFO, TRAILERS, POSTERS) @ OUR OSCAR CHARTS
Foreign Film Submissions Pt 1. Albania through Italy
Foreign Film Submissions Pt 2. Kenya through Vietnam
May the best films be nominated, no matter what country they're from! Pass it on to your friends who love subtitles!
Reader Comments (31)
I've seen "Juvenile Offender". It's a wonderful film. Kind of conventional as far as the Korean films I've seen but it should be palatable to the Academy.
As far as ex-Yugoslavia goes, I'm pretty sure these will be the submissions:
Serbia - Circles
Bosnia and Herzegovina - An Episode in the Life of an Iron Picker
Croatia - A Stranger
Slovenia - Shanghai Gypsy
I think either Serbia or Bosnia gets in this year, both films were big hits with both the critics and the audiences on local film festivals, and Tanović is an Oscar winner already. Croatia and Slovenia definitely have no shot.
@MYS Serbia did indeed go with Circles.
So you're telling me The Notebook and Who's the Boss could be Oscar-nominated? And I've always said that the Academy isn't broad in its tastes!
I can't say that I've seen any of the ones chosen, though I could have seen the Finnish entry at the Montréal World Film Festival; it was playing there, but I missed it.
I did see Eventyrland, though, and thought it was pretty good, although maybe not good enough to get a nomination.
I also saw Wakolda, the Argentinian film, and found it very good; I could see it at least making the shortlist if it's their choice.
Also, I'm kind of disappointed that Venezuela didn't go for Azul y no tan rosa, the gay-themed film, which I really enjoyed.
Was Norte: The End of History not deemed eligible or just not considered a finalist in the Philippines? It got raves at Cannes.
I am going to assume Walesa, regardless of quality, might be Poland's selection. Wajda's known at the Academy and it's a biopic.
i think Brazil will probably submit the movie about Elizabeth Bishop! this right here: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2217458/
i guess it's called "Reaching for the Moon" in english, which is a ridiculously bad title!!
The movie's gotten good reviews by local critics, though, and it was well received in Berlin last year.I haven't seen it yet, but it seems good Foreign Feature Film material: it's set in a beautiful part of Rio, it's based on the life of an American poet with whom American audiences are most likely familiar with and, last but not least, there's the whole homosexual/forbidden-love thing, which is something voters in this category might be attracted to.
Another possibility for Poland would be Life Feels Good (Chce siez zyc); it won three awards at Montréal, including the top prize (Grand Prix des Amériques) and the audience choice award.
My local arthouse cinema is having it's annual Southeast Asian Film Festival currently, and so I will have the opportunity to see both THY WOMB and ILO, ILO in the coming fortnight. ON THE JOB is also screening, and it wasn't on my to-see list initially, but maybe I should pencil it in as well?
Nathaniel, as expected, Chile officially submitted Gloria as its entry earlier today. I doubt it'll eventually make it, but the movie is playing in EVERY festival and getting pretty good reviews internationally.
Clara, according to a few reviews came from Tribeca, the film is mostly spoken in English. So, it will be disqualified of the race. Like THR said.
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/review/reaching-moon-flores-raras-berlin-421576
Another plus for international audiences is that almost all of the narrative is in English, with a few picturesque touches of Portuguese.
I just would assume that there will be 60+ submission and not 50... ;)
BTW, Japan has chosen "The Great Passage"....
although I'm in two of those movies (As linhas de Wellington and O Frágil Som do Meu Motor) I think the best chances for Portugal are: É o Amor (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jNk2Ytvs5aA), Deste lado da Resurreição (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jJDrPzyoZ8U), Até ver a Luz (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4HF3qBk_Chg) e A última vez que vi Macau (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BtNLjGbxiJE)
@leon, you're right, that makes sense! but our Minister for Culture said she'd be lobbying for it, so... i don't know. she might just be misinformed.
btw, i'm really looking forward to seeing "Gloria"! i've read excellent things about it. Chile's been making us South Americans very proud these days.
Sweden's going with "Eat Sleep Die":
http://variety.com/2013/film/international/sweden-choses-eat-sleep-die-as-its-foreign-language-oscar-candidate-1200599708/
I have seen "Thy Womb" from the Philippines. It's a beautiful film. The lead actress is amazing.
http://filmacademyphil.org/?p=5738
FAP OSCAR COMMITTEE BARES SHORTLIST by fapweb
Posted in Articles | on Fri, Aug 16, 2013
The special committee of the Film Academy of the Philippines which will choose the official Philippine entry to the best foreign-language category of the Oscars next year has come up with a shortlist of eight films though it will still consider other films which will be shown in September.
Since the year 1996, a FAP special committee has been selecting the country’s annual entry to the Oscars. FAP Director-General Leo G. Martinez announced that Director Peque Gallaga has replaced special committee chairman National Artist for Film Director Eddie Romero who passed away recently.
The seven members of the special committee which Director Gallaga will join are the following: Actor/Director Robert Arevalo, FAP deputy director-general; Director Jose N. Carreon, secretary of the Directors’ Guild of the Philippines, Inc.; Director William Mayo, president of the Philippine Motion Picture Directors’ Association;
Manny Morfe, president of the Production Designers Guild of the Philippines; Jess Navarro, president of the United Film Editors Guild of the Philippines; Director Elwood Perez; and Actress-Directress Gina Alajar of the Actors’ Guild.
Oscar Award rules for the best foreign language film category stipulate that to qualify, the Philippine entry must have been commercially exhibited in the country for at least seven consecutive days during the period from October, 2012 to September, 2013. A Filipino must be in two of the three capacities as film producer, director or scriptwriter.
The special committee short list includes the following films:
1) Supremo
CEB Rated A/Shown Dec. 5, 2012
Supremo is a Filipino epic drama movie starring Alfred Vargas as Andres Bonifacio film. It is directed by Richard V. Somes and produced by Alternative Vision Cinema and Strawdogs Studio Productions.
2) El Presidente (film)
CEB Rated A/ Shown Dec. 25, 2012
El Presidente is a biopic film based on the life of Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo, the first president of the Philippine Republic. The film stars Laguna Gov. Jeorge Estregan in the title role, with Cesar Montano, Christopher de Leon, Nora Aunor, and Cristine Reyes in supporting roles. It is directed and written by Mark Meily based on the memoirs of Gen. Aguinaldo. It is produced b Scenema Concept International, CMB Films and VIVA Films.
3) Thy Womb
CED Rated A/Shown Dec. 25, 2012
The film is directed by Brillante Mendoza and stars Nora Aunor, Bembol Roco and Lovi Poe and produced by Center Stage Productions and was one of the 8 official entries to the 2012 Metro Manila Film Festival.
4) Dance of the Steel Bars (2013)
CEB Rated A/Shown June 12/2013
The film is directed by Cesar Apolinario and Marnie Manicad and stars
Dingdong Dantes, Patrick Bergin, Ricky Davao and Cebu Gov. Gwen Garcia as herself. The film was inspired by actual events in a Cebu prison where the group dancig of the inmates became viral in the internet worldwide.
5) Ekstra/ The Bit Player
CEB Rated A/ Shown August 14, 2013
The film is directed by Jeffrey Jeturian and stars Vilma Santos as Loida Malabanan, a film extra who spends her days dreaming of her big break while working with the country’s best small screen actors. The film competed under the Directors Showcase sidebar of Cinemalaya 2013. It is produced by Cinemalaya, Quantum Films and Star Cinema.
6) Tiktik: The Aswang Chronicles
CEB Rated B/ Oct. 17/2012
The film is directed by Erik Matti and stars Dingdong Dantes, Lovi Poe, Joey Marquez, Janice de Belen, Ramon Bautista and LJ Reyes. It was produced by Reality Entertainment, Mothership, Inc., Agosto Dos Pictures, Post Manila and distributed by GMA Films.
7) Tuhog
CEB Rated B/July 17, 2013
The film is directed by Veronica Velasco and stars Eugene Domingo, Enchong Dee, Leo Martinez, Jake Cuenca and Empress Schuck. It was produced by Skylight Films and Star Cinema.
8) Boses (2008)
Shown July 31, 2013
The film tells the story of a violin teacher and his student, a mute 7-year old abused child in a shelter, who develop a friendship stemming from their love of music. It was a directed by Ellen Ongkeko-Marfil. It was first exhibited during the 2008 Cinemalaya Indie Film Festival.
9) OTJ (On the Job)
Booked for showing August 28, 2013
The film is directed by Erik Matti and co-produced by Star Cinema and Reality Entertainment and stars Piolo Pascual, Gerald Anderson, Joel Torre, Joey Marquez, Michael de Mesa, Leo Martinez, Angel Aquino, Vivian Velez, Shaina Magdayao, William Martinez, Rayver Cruz and Empress. OTJ had its world premiere at the 66th Cannes Film Festival, one of the 21 feature films included in the Directors’ Fortnight line-up. In the film, Gerald is cast as an inmate working as a hitman or professional killer while Piolo portrays the NBI agent tasked to hunt him down.
Your FEEDBACK can be posted at www.filmacademyphil.org/forum/
http://filmacademyphil.org/?p=5738
FAP OSCAR COMMITTEE BARES SHORTLIST by fapweb
Posted in Articles | on Fri, Aug 16, 2013
The special committee of the Film Academy of the Philippines which will choose the official Philippine entry to the best foreign-language category of the Oscars next year has come up with a shortlist of eight films though it will still consider other films which will be shown in September.
Since the year 1996, a FAP special committee has been selecting the country’s annual entry to the Oscars. FAP Director-General Leo G. Martinez announced that Director Peque Gallaga has replaced special committee chairman National Artist for Film Director Eddie Romero who passed away recently.
The seven members of the special committee which Director Gallaga will join are the following: Actor/Director Robert Arevalo, FAP deputy director-general; Director Jose N. Carreon, secretary of the Directors’ Guild of the Philippines, Inc.; Director William Mayo, president of the Philippine Motion Picture Directors’ Association;
Manny Morfe, president of the Production Designers Guild of the Philippines; Jess Navarro, president of the United Film Editors Guild of the Philippines; Director Elwood Perez; and Actress-Directress Gina Alajar of the Actors’ Guild.
Oscar Award rules for the best foreign language film category stipulate that to qualify, the Philippine entry must have been commercially exhibited in the country for at least seven consecutive days during the period from October, 2012 to September, 2013. A Filipino must be in two of the three capacities as film producer, director or scriptwriter.
The special committee short list includes the following films:
1) Supremo
CEB Rated A/Shown Dec. 5, 2012
Supremo is a Filipino epic drama movie starring Alfred Vargas as Andres Bonifacio film. It is directed by Richard V. Somes and produced by Alternative Vision Cinema and Strawdogs Studio Productions.
2) El Presidente (film)
CEB Rated A/ Shown Dec. 25, 2012
El Presidente is a biopic film based on the life of Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo, the first president of the Philippine Republic. The film stars Laguna Gov. Jeorge Estregan in the title role, with Cesar Montano, Christopher de Leon, Nora Aunor, and Cristine Reyes in supporting roles. It is directed and written by Mark Meily based on the memoirs of Gen. Aguinaldo. It is produced b Scenema Concept International, CMB Films and VIVA Films.
3) Thy Womb
CED Rated A/Shown Dec. 25, 2012
The film is directed by Brillante Mendoza and stars Nora Aunor, Bembol Roco and Lovi Poe and produced by Center Stage Productions and was one of the 8 official entries to the 2012 Metro Manila Film Festival.
4) Dance of the Steel Bars (2013)
CEB Rated A/Shown June 12/2013
The film is directed by Cesar Apolinario and Marnie Manicad and stars
Dingdong Dantes, Patrick Bergin, Ricky Davao and Cebu Gov. Gwen Garcia as herself. The film was inspired by actual events in a Cebu prison where the group dancig of the inmates became viral in the internet worldwide.
5) Ekstra/ The Bit Player
CEB Rated A/ Shown August 14, 2013
The film is directed by Jeffrey Jeturian and stars Vilma Santos as Loida Malabanan, a film extra who spends her days dreaming of her big break while working with the country’s best small screen actors. The film competed under the Directors Showcase sidebar of Cinemalaya 2013. It is produced by Cinemalaya, Quantum Films and Star Cinema.
6) Tiktik: The Aswang Chronicles
CEB Rated B/ Oct. 17/2012
The film is directed by Erik Matti and stars Dingdong Dantes, Lovi Poe, Joey Marquez, Janice de Belen, Ramon Bautista and LJ Reyes. It was produced by Reality Entertainment, Mothership, Inc., Agosto Dos Pictures, Post Manila and distributed by GMA Films.
7) Tuhog
CEB Rated B/July 17, 2013
The film is directed by Veronica Velasco and stars Eugene Domingo, Enchong Dee, Leo Martinez, Jake Cuenca and Empress Schuck. It was produced by Skylight Films and Star Cinema.
8) Boses (2008)
Shown July 31, 2013
The film tells the story of a violin teacher and his student, a mute 7-year old abused child in a shelter, who develop a friendship stemming from their love of music. It was a directed by Ellen Ongkeko-Marfil. It was first exhibited during the 2008 Cinemalaya Indie Film Festival.
9) OTJ (On the Job)
Booked for showing August 28, 2013
The film is directed by Erik Matti and co-produced by Star Cinema and Reality Entertainment and stars Piolo Pascual, Gerald Anderson, Joel Torre, Joey Marquez, Michael de Mesa, Leo Martinez, Angel Aquino, Vivian Velez, Shaina Magdayao, William Martinez, Rayver Cruz and Empress. OTJ had its world premiere at the 66th Cannes Film Festival, one of the 21 feature films included in the Directors’ Fortnight line-up. In the film, Gerald is cast as an inmate working as a hitman or professional killer while Piolo portrays the NBI agent tasked to hunt him down.
Fred Said: Movies
EKSTRA/THE BIT PLAYER: An Excellent Paradox!
http://said-fred.blogspot.com/2013/07/ekstra-excellent-paradox.html
EKSTRA/THE BIT PLAYER is the ultimate tribute to the millions of bit players in the industry, made even more grandiose by having "the star for all seasons" aka VILMA SANTOS play as one of them.
The Bit Player/Ekstra is A Loving Tribute To Extras With Great Performances. All extras in real life will love the director Jeffrey Jeturian and lead star Vilma Santos for showing in this film the humor and the soul of the experiences they go through in the course of their job. What’s nice about the film is that, as a real homage to extras, they listed down the names of all the extras who were involved in the film at the end credits.
I have seen The Bit Player (Ekstra) from the Philippines. It's a very entertaining film that brings us into the world of a bit player or "extra" in the punishing world of television soap opera. This was more than just a glimpse. We get an in-depth, no-holds-barred, brutally frank expose on how bit players are treated on and off the set of a location shoot.
https://www.facebook.com/pages/THY-WOMB-starring-Ms-Nora-Aunor/102939136503641
its THY WOMB of Philippines SUPERSTAR MS NORA AUNOR deserves the winning as it won from different award festival here and abroad
best actress in ITALY,AUSTRALIA,HONG KONG, and now in RUSSIA, she even won 9 best actress and BEST PERFORMER locally
what else you can ask for?
https://www.facebook.com/NoraAunor4NationalArtist
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY BREAKING NEWS!!!
As we celebrate one year of worldwide acclaim for "Thy Womb", His Excellency Vice President Jejomar Binay, the Honorable Senators Jinggoy Estrada and Loren Legarda, and former Senator Santanina Rasul and Honorable Amina Rasul-Bernardo of the Philippine Council on Islam and Democracy, together with the Department of Foreign Affairs, have formally endorsed "Thy Womb" to the Film Academy of the Philippines to choose the film as the country's bet for the Oscars! MARAMING SALAMAT PO!
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=205217236320791&set=a.144870715688777.1073741828.144866512355864&type=1&theater
Celebrating One Year of Worldwide Acclaim for "Thy Womb"
The momentous WORLD PREMIERE of "Thy Womb" at the 69th Venice International Film Festival, Sept. 6, 2012 Sala Grande
"Thy Womb" goes to the 57th LONDON International Film Festival!
It screens in the "Love" Section of the Festival, along with other internationally acclaimed films "Blue is the Warmest Color" and "Gloria".
British premiere on October 11, 2013 at the VUE Screen 7. CONGRATULATIONS!
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=204687363040445&set=a.144870715688777.1073741828.144866512355864&type=1&theater
IN CELEBRATION of one year of worldwide acclaim for "Thy Womb", we have created this special commemorative poster featuring all the international film festivals where the film participated in competition or exhibition. Can you name all the festivals included here? Cheers to a GLORIOUS year for "Thy Womb"!
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=424824054305587&set=a.279903178797676.69192.279900362131291&type=1&theater
The Bit Player/Ekstra (Philippines) bagged six awards at the recently concluded Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film festival, including Special Jury Prize, Netpac (Network for Promotion of Asian Cinema) Special Award, Audience Choice Award, and Best Actress (VILMA SANTOS) It also was the festival’s top grosser.
VILMA SANTOS shines in another career-defining performance as a bit player without making extra efforts to stand out, but by blending with the crowd and acting as one of them, sharing the scenes with them and giving them the opportunity to do their parts. Vilma Santos as a bit player Loida is a testament to her versatility and wide range as an actress.
The Bit Player / Ekstra (Philippines)
Director: Jeffrey Jeturian
Cast: Vincent de Jesus, Marlon Rivera, and VILMA SANTOS
SUBTITLED
Vilma Santos, the enduring Grand Dame of the Philippine film industry, delivers a performance of grace, courage, and peerless comic timing as a single mother toiling as a lowly TV extra in the latest film from veteran director Jeffrey Jeturian (Trespassers).
The Bit Player is a socio-realist drama-comedy that follows a seemingly usual day in the life of Loida Malabanan (Vilma Santos-Recto) as she embarks on yet another day on the set of a soap opera as an extra. As the shoot goes on, we get a glimpse of the truth in the ruling system of the production as well as the exploitation of marginalized labourers like her.
38th Toronto International Film Festival®
September 5-15, 2013
2013 Screening Schedule (The Bit Player / Ekstra)
SUN.08.SEP
9:45pm — 11:36pm
Scotiabank
TUE.10.SEP
4:00pm — 5:51pm
Scotiabank
SUN.15.SEP
10:00am — 11:51am
Scotiabank
Hoyts Cinema in Mount Druit, New South Wales (near Sydney), Watergardens Town
Centre Taylors Lake, Victoria (near Melbourne) are pre-selling tickets for
The Bit Player/Ekstra (Philippines) starring the versatile actress VILMA SANTOS
Screening of the movie in NSW and Victoria is on Thursday September 12.
Agree with the post about Reaching for the Moon. Likewise, I believe, Gloria would be a formidable inclusion from Chile. Pardon me, but reading through the posts, what the heck does "star for all seasons" mean? I literally spit out my drink after reading it. Surely some absurdly made up title for the sake of having one! Funny.
AMACC has announced the Mexican official submission: "HELI", directed by Amat Escalante who won the best director prize at the 2013 Cannes Film Festival
http://www.academiamexicanadecine.org.mx/oscarygoya2014/representantes.asp
https://twitter.com/AcademiaCineMx/status/380381522441695232/photo/1