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A glimpse into the contenders for the international feature film Oscar
The race for the international feature film Oscar has always been a melting pot of cultural diversity, storytelling creativity, and cinematic excellence. This year, nations around the globe have put forth an array of films that not only showcase their unique perspectives but also compete head-to-head on the global stage. Let’s dive into some of the standout entries that could potentially clinch the coveted award and explore the compelling narratives they bring.
Intrigue and turmoil: Albania’s “Waterdrop”
Director: Robert Budin
Country: Albania
Robert Budin is no stranger to the Oscar submission process, having represented Albania with his debut “Agon” in 2013. His latest feature, “Waterdrop”, which premiered internationally at the Warsaw Film Festival, delves into the spiraling life of a city hall manager who grapples with the distressing involvement of her teenage son in a rape scandal. This intense and emotional drama navigates complex family dynamics and societal expectations, capturing the vulnerability and strength of a mother’s love.
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Disappearance and mystery: Algeria’s “Algiers”
Director: Chakib Taleb-Bendiab
Country: Algeria
In his enthralling film “Algiers”, Chakib Taleb-Bendiab crafts a riveting narrative about a psychiatrist and a police inspector embroiled in the investigation of a young girl’s disappearance in the bustling capital of Algeria. Highlighted by its tense atmosphere and intricate plot, the film won accolades at the Rhode Island International Film Festival and promises to captivate with its thickening suspense and cultural authenticity.
Comedy and transformation: Argentina’s “Kill the Jockey”
Director: Luis Ortega
Country: Argentina
Luis Ortega returns to the Oscar race with “Kill the Jockey,” an unconventional comedy following a self-indulgent jockey on a bizarre yet insightful journey of transformation. Premiered at the Venice Film Festival, Ortega’s film blends humor with existential musings, painting a vivid portrait of self-discovery that is both entertaining and thought-provoking.
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Political absurdity: Armenia’s “Yasha and Leonid Brezhnev”
Director: Edgar Baghdasaryan
Country: Armenia
Edgar Baghdasaryan, known for his 2019 submission “Lengthy Night,” offers a fresh perspective with “Yasha and Leonid Brezhnev.” This absurdist political comedy centers on a retired Armenian man who, pining for the Soviet era, retreats into his whimsical imagination. The film’s unique premise provides not only laughter but also a critical commentary on nostalgia and political history.
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Historical drama: Austria’s “The Devil’s Bath”
Directors: Veronika Franz and Severin Fiala
Country: Austria
Awarded for its breathtaking cinematography at Berlin, “The Devil’s Bath” by Veronika Franz and Severin Fiala stands as a poignant historical drama. The directors, celebrated for their previous Oscar-submitted horror “Goodnight Mommy” (2014), now tell a sobering, fact-based tale of female depression and abuse. Their transition from horror to historical drama highlights their versatile storytelling prowess.
Learn more about The Devil’s Bath
A wrestling saga: Bangladesh’s “The Wrestler”
Director: Iqbal Hossain Chowdhury
Country: Bangladesh
Toronto-based maker Iqbal Hossain Chowdhury’s debut feature “The Wrestler” has already won the New Currents competition at Busan. This underdog sports drama follows an aging fisherman who dares to challenge a local wrestling champion, blending themes of persistence, aging, and the spirit of competition within the rich cultural context of Bangladesh.
Silence and scandal: Belgium’s “Julie Keeps Quiet”
Director: Leonardo van Dijl
Country: Belgium
Co-produced by the renowned Dardenne brothers, “Julie Keeps Quiet” by Leonardo van Dijl takes a restrained yet piercing look at the aftermath of an abuse scandal in an elite tennis academy. Premiered at Cannes Critics’ Week, the film’s timely exploration of silence, power dynamics, and ethical lapses is both incisive and moving.
Justice and morality: Bolivia’s “Own Hand”
Director: Rodrigo Patiño
Country: Bolivia
In “Own Hand,” Rodrigo Patiño’s gripping thriller, a principled prosecutor battles community-driven mob justice when five young individuals are accused of truck theft. This film, Patiño’s second Oscar submission for Bolivia, invites viewers to reflect on the delicate balance between law, justice, and vigilantism.
Familial conflicts: Bosnia and Herzegovina’s “My Late Summer”
Director: Danis Tanović
Country: Bosnia and Herzegovina
Danis Tanović, Bosnia’s acclaimed filmmaker and Oscar winner for “No Man’s Land” (2001), returns with “My Late Summer.” This comedy-drama dives into the comedic yet poignant feud within a family over inheritance issues. Tanović’s deft touch ensures a thoughtful exploration of familial ties and generational conflicts.
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True-life drama: Brazil’s “I’m Still Here”
Director: Walter Salles
Country: Brazil
Walter Salles, after 12 years, delivers “I’m Still Here,” a heart-wrenching drama about the unjust detainment of a patriarch during Brazil’s military dictatorship and its shattering effect on his family. The film, which nabbed Best Screenplay at Venice, offers a poignant reflection on resilience, justice, and familial bonds.
Find out more about I’m Still Here
These submissions present a mosaic of global voices and experiences, each contributing uniquely to the rich tapestry of world cinema. While only one will ultimately claim the Oscar, the narratives they bring and the cultures they represent enrich our global understanding and appreciation of the art of filmmaking.
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“Behind the Mist”Director: Sebastián Cordero
Country: Ecuador
Cordero has directed two previous Ecuadorian submissions, “Chronicles” and “Such Is Life in the Tropics.” His latest is a 3D documentary chronicling his own attempt to scale Mount Everest with famous mountaineer Iván Vallejo.
“Flight 404”Director: Hani Khalifa
Country: Egypt
The first Egyptian production to be shot in Saudi Arabia, Khalifa’s race-against-time thriller about a woman whose past comes back to haunt her as she prepares to travel to Mecca has been a local hit, scoring record box-office for a female-led Egyptian film.
“8 Views of Lake Biwa”Director: Marko Raat
Country: Estonia
A Rotterdam premiere earlier this year, Raat’s lyrical romantic drama centers on two young girls reckoning with first love and the aftermath of a local tragedy in their small fishing village.
“Family Time”Director: Tia Kouvo
Country: Finland
Kouvo’s debut feature, a comedy-drama about a fractious family Christmas gathering, was warmly reviewed when it premiered in Berlin’s Encounters sidebar this year, even prompting critical comparisons to Aki Kaurismäki.
“Emilia Pérez”Director: Jacques Audiard
Country: France
Fifteen years after scoring a nomination in the category for “A Prophet,” veteran auteur Audiard is hoping to bring France its first win in three decades with this Cannes-laurelled, Netflix-backed, Mexico-set trans cartel musical starring Karla Sofia Gascón, Zoe Saldaña and Selena Gomez.
“The Antique”Director: Rusudan Glurjidze
Country: Georgia
Glurjidze’s follow-up to her Oscar-submitted debut “House of Others” is a poignant anti-Putin drama examining Georgian-Russian tensions in St. Petersburg. It made headlines when its Venice premiere was temporarily suspended after a copyright complaint by its Russian and Croatian producers that may have been politically motivated.
“The Seed of the Sacred Fig”Director: Mohammad Rasoulof
Country: Germany
Co-producing country Germany stepped up for exiled Iranian firebrand director Rasoulof, submitting his incendiary Tehran-set domestic thriller about growing friction between an Islamic Revolutionary Court judge and his protest-minded feminist daughters. A special jury award winner at Cannes, it’s being distributed by Neon.
The Seed of the Sacred Fig Courtesy of Cannes Film Festival “Murderess”Director: Eva Nathena
Country: Greece
Winner of multiple awards at last year’s Thessaloniki fest, Nathena’s feminist period drama was the only film left standing when all other contenders for the submission withdrew in protest at the Greek Culture Ministry’s replacement of the original selection committee.
“Kidnapping Inc.”Director: Bruno Mourral
Country: Haiti
Only the third film ever submitted by Haiti, Mourral’s debut feature is a chaotic crime comedy following two gangsters tasked with transporting a high-profile kidnap victim. It premiered in Sundance’s Midnight program.
“Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In”Director: Soi Cheang
Country: Hong Kong
A Midnight premiere at Cannes, Soi Cheang’s head-spinning, genre-melding mixture of ‘80s-retro crime thriller and martial arts spectacular has been enthusiastically received by critics and audiences alike — at home, it’s the second highest-grossing domestic film of all time.
“Semmelweis”Director: Lajos Koltai
Country: Hungary
Following the all-star American flop “Evening,” the first directorial effort in 17 years from Oscar-nominated cinematographer Koltai (“Malena”) is a medical drama set against the backdrop of a raging epidemic in 19th-century Vienna.
“Touch”Director: Baltasar Kormákur
Country: Iceland
Sometime Hollywood director Kormákur (“Beast,” “Everest”) drops his usual genre inclinations and returns to his homeland for a tender, time-hopping romantic drama about an elderly widower seeking his first love from half a century before.
“Laapataa Ladies”Director: Kiran Rao
Country: India
Controversially selected by India over critical darling “All We Imagine as Light,” this colorful, female-driven comedy of mistaken identity begins with two newlywed brides, who are accidentally switched on the train ride home, and it escalates from there.
“Women From Rote Island”Director: Jeremias Nyangoen
Country: Indonesia
Premiered at Busan last year, Nyangoen’s debut feature follows as illegal migrant worker as she returns to her small hometown for her father’s funeral.
“In the Arms of the Tree”Director: Babak Lotfi Khajepasha
Country: Iran
Likely to be eclipsed by the higher-profile Iranian film in the running, Germany’s submission “The Seed of the Sacred Fig,” this domestic drama studies two young children whose happily sheltered existence is shattered by a crisis in their parents’ lives.
“Baghdad Messi”Director: Sahim Omar Kalifa
Country: Iraq
A co-production with Belgium and the Netherlands, Kalifa’s inspirational drama follows an 11-year-old boy clinging to his dreams of international soccer stardom after he loses his leg in a terrorist attack.
“Kneecap”Director: Rich Peppiatt
Country: Ireland
A crowd-pleasing sensation at Sundance, where it won an audience award and was picked up by Sony Pictures Classics, this comic musical biopic dramatizes the backstory of the eponymous Belfast hip-hop trio, playing themselves on screen with anarchic energy.
Kneecap Everett Collection “Come Closer”Director: Tom Nesher
Country: Israel
Following the death of her beloved brother, a grief-stricken young woman is drawn into his secret life in this debut feature from female writer-director Tom Nesher, which won the inaugural Viewpoints Award at Tribeca this summer.
“Vermiglio”Director: Maura Delpero
Country: Italy
Winner of the Grand Jury Prize in this year’s Venice competition, Delpero’s exquisitely shot, episodic study of life and loss in a remote Alpine village in the years following World War II recalls the work of such Italian pastoral portraitists as Ermanno Olmi and the Taviani Brothers.
“Cloud”Director: Kiyoshi Kurosawa
Country: Japan
The second of three films this year from prolific genre merchant Kurosawa — and the veteran director’s first film ever to be selected as Japan’s submission — is an intricate psychological thriller revolving around e-commerce that premiered out of competition at Venice.
“My Sweet Land”Director: Sareen Hairabedian
Country: Jordan
Vrej, an 11-year-old Nagorno-Karabakh Armenian boy, is the charismatic focal point of this intimate documentary, which follows him and his family as they’re buffeted by war between Armenia and Azerbaijan.
“Bauryna Salu”Director: Askhat Kuchencherekov
Country: Kazakhstan
Having been raised by his grandmother according to local tradition, a 12-year-old boy must move back in with his unfamiliar family after she dies in this sensitive coming-of-ager, which premiered in last year’s New Directors competition at San Sebastian.
“Nawi”Directors: Vallentine Chelluget, Apuu Mourine, Kevin Schmutzler, Toby Schmutzler
Country: Kenya
Cultures and generations clash in this story of a 13-year-old girl in rural Kenya who, upon learning that she is to be sold off by her father as a child bride, resists tradition and insists on continuing her education.
“Heaven Is Beneath Mother’s Feet”Director: Ruslan Akun
Country: Kyrgyzstan
Outgrossing “Dune: Part Two” in its home country, this sentimental drama depicts a man with learning difficulties as he attempts to travel to Mecca with his frail, elderly mother.
“Flow”Director: Gints Zilbalodis
Country: Latvia
One of only two animated films in the running, this ravishing, dialogue-free animal odyssey follows an intrepid cat seeking sanctuary in the wake of a world-destroying flood. It wowed audiences in Un Certain Regard at Cannes, before taking jury and audience awards at Annecy.
Flow “Drowning Dry”Director: Laurynas Bareisa
Country: Lithuania
Bareisa’s debut “Pilgrims” was Lithuania’s submission two years ago. His sophomore feature, which won Best Director and Best Performance (for its entire ensemble) at Locarno, is a structurally complex drama about two sisters and their families bound by grief and near-tragedy.
“Abang Adik”Director: Jin Ong
Country: Malaysia
Wu Kang-ren won Best Actor at last year’s Golden Horse Awards for his role in this noir-tinged drama about two undocumented orphans — a deaf man and his younger brother — battling poverty and lure of crime in modern Malaysia.
“Castillo”Director: Abigail Mallia
Country: Malta
Reunited with her mother after her father’s death, a young woman pieces together a dark family history —including assassination and revenge — in Mallia’s melodrama, only the fourth film ever submitted by Malta in the race.
“Sujo”Directors: Astrid Rondero, Fernanda Valadez
Country: Mexico
A very different take on Mexican cartel trauma than “Emilia Pérez,” this story of a young man attempting to escape his father’s criminal legacy saw its directors build on the promise of their acclaimed debut “Identifying Features,” and won the Grand Jury Prize for world cinema at Sundance.
“If Only I Could Hibernate”Director: Zoljargal Purevdash
Country: Mongolia
Well-reviewed following its Un Certain Regard premiere at Cannes last year, Purevdash’s debut feature follows the struggle of a working-class teenage boy to balance his academic aspirations with his attempts to make ends meet for his family.
“Supermarket”Director: Nemanja Bečanović
Country: Montenegro
A homeless man manages to live undetected in a supermarket for over a year, but begins to suspect he’s not alone, in Becanovic’s Robinson Crusoe-inspired comedy, which premiered at last year’s Tallinn Black Nights Festival.
“Everybody Loves Touda”Director: Nabil Ayouch
Country: Morocco
Ayouch’s sixth submission for Morocco follow’s 2021’s hip-hop drama “Casablanca Beats” in exploring the country’s musical tapestry, this time through the tumultuous life story of a traditional folk singer. It premiered out of competition at Cannes.
“Shambhala”Director: Min Bahadur Bham
Country: Nepal
The story of a pregnant woman in a Himalayan village on a journey of self-discovery following the disappearance of her husband, Bham’s second feature is the first Nepali production ever to play in the main competition of a major festival — in this case Berlin.
“Memory Lane”Director: Jelle de Jonge
Country: Netherlands
A long-married couple embark on a road trip to Spain to visit a dying friend but are faced with their own frailties along the way — notably the onset of dementia — in this comedy-drama from TV director de Jonge.
“Armand”Director: Halfdan Ullmann Tøndel
Country: Norway
Ullmann Tøndel, the grandson of Ingmar Bergman and Liv Ullmann, won the Golden Camera for best first feature at Cannes for this enigmatic, increasingly surreal study of a parent-teacher conference that goes wildly awry, showcasing a bravura performance from Renate Reinsve.
“The Glassworker”Director: Usman Riaz
Country: Pakistan
For the first time, Pakistan has submitted an animated film, and indeed the country’s first ever hand-drawn animated feature: an anime-influenced, unspecifically located saga of a father and son whose bond is tested by the pressures of love and war.
“From Ground Zero”Directors: Aws Al-Banna, Ahmed Al-Danf, Basil Al-Maqousi, Mustafa Al-Nabih, Muhammad Alshareef, Ala Ayob, Bashar Al Balbisi, Alaa Damo, Awad Hana, Ahmad Hassunah, Mustafa Kallab, Satoum Kareem, Mahdi Karera, Rabab Khamees, Khamees Masharawi, Wissam Moussa, Tamer Najm, Abu Hasna Nidaa, Damo Nidal, Mahmoud Reema, Etimad Weshah, Islam Al Zrieai
Country: Palestine
The year’s timeliest entry is an anthology of 22 short films from different directors chronicling the reality of life in Gaza as the ruinous Israel-Hamas War continues. Originally scheduled to premiere at Cannes, it was pulled due to political concerns but has since played multiple tests including Toronto.
“Wake Up Mom”Director: Arianne Benedetti
Country: Panama
Director-writer-star Benedetti, who directed Panama’s 2017 submission “Beyond Brotherhood,” returns with an action thriller about a mother, having started a new life after leaving her husband, investigating her daughter’s sudden disappearance.
“The Last”Director: Sebastián Peña Escobar
Country: Paraguay
The directorial debut of producer Escobar (“The Heiresses”) is an environmental documentary surveying Paraguay’s wildfire-prone Gran Chaco natural region. It premiered in the main competition at last year’s IDFA festival.
“Yana-Wara”Directors: Óscar Catacora, Tito Catacora
Country: Peru
Young filmmaker Óscar Catacora, who directed Peru’s 2018 submission “Eternity,” tragically died of appendicitis before completing his last work, a mystery in which an octogenarian man goes on trial for the murder of his teen granddaughter. The film was finished by Catacora’s uncle Tiro.
“And So It Begins”Director: Ramona S. Diaz
Country: Philippines
Diaz’s Sundance-selected documentary examines the growth of a grassroots resistance movement aiming to protect democracy amid the turmoil of the country’s elections.
“Under the Volcano”Director: Damian Kocur
Country: Poland
Kocur’s tense, resonant sophomore feature, which premiered to strong reviews at Toronto, examines the plight of Ukrainian family vacationing in the Canary Islands, who become refugees overnight following Russia’s invasion of their home country.
“Grand Tour”Director: Miguel Gomes
Country: Portugal
Previously submitted with “Our Beloved Month of August” and “Arabian Nights,” Portugal’s most inventive auteur returns with a dizzying, time-slipping romantic voyage through East and Southeast Asia that won him the Best Director award at Cannes.
The Grand Tour # Diverse voices in the race for the international feature film OscarThe international feature film Oscar category is brimming with diverse narratives and artistic brilliance from around the globe. This year’s submissions reveal stories that are not merely meant to entertain but to provoke thought, reflect societal truths, and showcase rich cultures. Let’s delve into some of the standout entries that have the potential to leave a lasting impact and possibly clinch the esteemed accolade.
Struggles and acceptance in “Three Kilometers from the End of the World”
Director: Emanuel Parvu
Country: Romania
Emanuel Parvu, an actor-turned-director, brings a poignant narrative with “Three Kilometers from the End of the World.” This film tells the story of a 17-year-old boy who faces severe homophobia after being gay-bashed one summer evening. Set against the backdrop of his conservative community and family, the film effectively captures the suffocating atmosphere of intolerance. Having competed at Cannes and winning the Queer Palme, it highlights both the micro and macro aggressions faced by the LGBTQ+ community.
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Post-colonial perspectives in “Dahomey”
Director: Mati Diop
Country: Senegal
Mati Diop, the visionary behind Senegal’s 2019 submission “Atlantics”, returns with “Dahomey.” This hybrid documentary, which won the prestigious Golden Bear at Berlin, focuses on the return of African artworks from France to Berlin. Despite its concise 68-minute runtime, the film is rich in political commentary and cinematic innovation, offering a critical examination of post-colonial legacies and the restitution of cultural heritage.
Historical tensions in “Russian Consul”
Director: Miroslav Lekić
Country: Serbia
Set in 1973, Miroslav Lekić’s film “Russian Consul” delves into the roots of the Kosova crisis. This historical drama explores the early tensions between Kosovo Serbs and Albanians, providing a nuanced portrait of a community on the brink of conflict. Though it has had limited exposure outside Serbia, the film’s historical significance renders it a compelling entry in this year’s Oscar race.
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Comic relief in “La Luna”
Director: M. Raihan Halim
Country: Singapore
“La Luna” by M. Raihan Halim is a delightful Malay-language romantic comedy that draws comparison to “Chocolat” but with an unconventional twist—lingerie instead of chocolates. The film captures the transformative impact of a women’s-only lingerie shop on a repressed, religiously conservative village, infusing humor with themes of empowerment and liberation.
Hidden heroism in “The Hungarian Dressmaker”
Director: Iveta Grófová
Country: Slovakia
For her second Oscar submission, Iveta Grófová chooses World War II as the backdrop for “The Hungarian Dressmaker.” The narrative follows a Hungarian widow, portrayed by Alexandra Borbély, who risks her life to hide a Jewish boy from the Nazis and the Slovak Hlinka Guard. The film is expected to resonate due to its historical context and powerful performances.
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Dark comedy in “Family Therapy”
Director: Sonja Prosenc
Country: Slovenia
“Family Therapy” is a dark comedy by Sonja Prosenc, who has a knack for exploring familial nuances. In her third submission, Prosenc presents a young stranger who disrupts the delicate balance of a dysfunctional family, winning her Best Director at Sarajevo. The film deftly explores themes of intrusion, family dynamics, and societal norms.
Find more about Family Therapy
Reconciliation in “Old Righteous Blues”
Director: Muneera Sallies
Country: South Africa
Set in a small Western Cape town, “Old Righteous Blues” by Muneera Sallies is a heartwarming tale about a young man’s quest to reunite his fragmented community through the revival of their Christmas choir band. With its Afrikaans-language dialogue, this film brings to life themes of reconciliation, cultural heritage, and community spirit.
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Political thriller in “12.12: The Day”
Director: Kim Sung-su
Country: South Korea
“12.12: The Day” dramatizes South Korea’s December 1979 military coup and its aftermath. Directed by Kim Sung-su, this film, which was the highest-grossing Korean movie of the previous year, dives deep into a pivotal moment in the nation’s history, blending thrilling elements with nuanced political commentary.
Musical nostalgia in “Saturn Return”
Director: Isaki Lacuesta, Pol
Country: Spain
Isaki Lacuesta, known for “One Year, One Night,” collaborates with Pol to bring “Saturn Return,” a ‘90s-set musical drama inspired by the music and backstory of the Granadan rock group Las Planetas. The film captures the essence of the era through vibrant musical sequences and nostalgic storytelling.
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Inspirational journey in “The Last Journey”
Directors: Filip Hammar, Fredrik Wikingsson
Country: Sweden
For the first time since 1979, Sweden has submitted a documentary, “The Last Journey.” This inspiring road trip film, now the country’s highest-grossing documentary, follows directors Filip Hammar, Fredrik Wikingsson, and Hammar’s retired father across Europe. Their journey, marked by bonding and exploration, is both uplifting and heartwarming.
Find out more about The Last Journey
These films transcend borders, each with its unique narrative, offering a broad spectrum of human experiences and artistic interpretations. As we await the announcement of the nominees, these stories remind us of the power of cinema in reflecting diverse cultures and shared humanity. Share this article with your friends, and stay connected for more updates from the world of cinema.
