2nd Annual "Gold List" Honoring Asian Achievements in Film

by Nathaniel R

Shang-Chi

Hello, awards fans. While we have often bemoaned the ever-increasing amounts of groups giving out "best" honors here at TFE, we do love to share and champion groups that have very specific focuses since the conversation could always do with broadening rather than the narrowing that more traditional awards do. So we're pleased to share the second annual "Gold List" a joint venture between Gold House and CAPE (Coalition of Asian Pacifics in Entertainment) recognizing outstanding work by Asian filmmakers and actors. Shang-Chi and Drive My Car both took multiple prizes this year while The Green Knight played bridesmaid with multiple honorable mentions. The full list of winners and honorable mentions is after the jump... 

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National Society of Film Critics picks "Drive My Car"

by Nathaniel R

The National Society of Film Critics, founded in 1966, is one of the three most prestigious critics group in the US, alongside NYFCC and LAFCA (and sharing some members from each). The society works with the National Film Preservation Board of the Library of Congress as well as providing the American delegate to  FIPRESCI, the international federation of members of the film press. This year, of their nine regular awards, only two (Cinematography and Supporting Actress) went to English language films which is we suspect record international dominance (77%) even though the group has always liked international films.  Here are their awards this year...

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Best International Film: Bhutan & Panama

by Cláudio Alves

The Academy has announced its shortlists, and there aren't many notable surprises to point out. However, two exciting inclusions in the Best international Film front were Bhutan's Lunana: A Yak in the Classroom and Panama's Plaza Catedral. By coincidence, both pictures have powerful behind-the-scenes stories that might have helped boost their profile. Bhutan's case is a story of underdog perseverance, while Panama has a heartbreaking tragedy attached to its film.

Did the Academy make the right choice? Let’s find out…

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Best International Film: Argentina, Hungary, Thailand

by Cláudio Alves

No matter how many masterpieces the genre regularly produces, the Academy cares very little for horror. Every year, a bunch of cinematic nightmares get critical raves and sometimes box office success but fail to capture AMPAS' attention. Not even the Makeup and Hairstyling category, a logical place to reward a cinema full of dilacerated flesh, is very keen on horror. The same happens with the Best International Film race, though that doesn't stop some brave countries from submitting scary movies. This year, some of the more horrific offerings include submissions from Argentina, Hungary, and Thailand…

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Best International Film: China, India, Indonesia

by Cláudio Alves

This journey through the Best International Film Oscar submissions has taken us to Europe and Latin America thus far, leaving some continents sorely underrepresented. In hopes of remedying that, this entry shall focus exclusively on Asian contenders. They are the latest work from a respected auteur who has represented China seven times before. From India, an award-winning feature debut shot on a tiny budget and severe minimalism. Finally, Indonesia brings us a beautiful character study in a hundred shades of purple…

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