Oscar Predictions: 2012 Oscars Best Foreign Language Shortlist Revealed
'A Separation' makes the list and 'Bullhead' is a nice inclusion
The Academy has announced what I would determine to be a rather solid shortlist of Foreign Language contenders for the 2012 Oscars based on what I've heard and what I've seen so far. Of course, there are films that didn't make the cut that will likely have people up in arms.
One such film is one we profiled here recently, Nadine Labaki's Where Do We Go Now?, which won the Cadillac People's Choice Award at the Toronto International Film Festival. Mexico's highly touted Miss Bala, Zhang Yimou's The War of Flowers, Aki Kaurismaki's Le Havre and Jose Padhila's Elite Squad: The Enemy Within were also among films many thought may stand a chance or were at least critical favorites.
However, strong favorite A Separation made the list as did Win Wenders' 3D dance documentary Pina along with a personal favorite of mine in Bullhead, which is essentially this year's Dogtooth if you ask me, which was one of last year's surprise shortlist inclusions that went on to earn a nomination.
Of the others, I have seen In Darkness and it is a tough watch and I still need to watch Footnote, which I've heard mixed reactions on ever since it debuted in Cannes last year. Monsieur Lazhar, Superclasico, Omar Killed Me and Warriors of the Rainbow: Seediq Bale are virtually unknown to me, but I have included a few trailers to the bottom of this post that I just added to the site from the selected titles below.
And I personally suggest keeping an eye out for Bullhead, which will be hitting theaters later this year from Drafthouse Films.
- Belgium, Bullhead, Michael R. Roskam, director
- Canada, Monsieur Lazhar, Philippe Falardeau, director
- Denmark, Superclasico, Ole Christian Madsen, director
- Germany, Pina, Wim Wenders, director
- Iran, A Separation, Asghar Farhadi, director
- Israel, Footnote, Joseph Cedar, director
- Morocco, Omar Killed Me, Roschdy Zem, director
- Poland, In Darkness, Agnieszka Holland, director
- Taiwan, Warriors of the Rainbow: Seediq Bale, Wei Te-sheng, director
The nine films above were selected from 63 films submitted and they will be winnowed down to the five nominees which will be announced next Tuesday, January 24, at 5:30 a.m. PT in the Academy's Samuel Goldwyn Theater.
I have gone ahead and added these nine films to my Oscar predictions with A Separation leading the pack, though as we all know, this is one category that has a tendency to not go as expected.
As for my predictions, my top five look like this:
- A Separation (dir. Asghar Farhadi)
- In Darkness (dir. Agnieszka Holland)
- Pina (dir. Wim Wenders)
- Bullhead (dir. Michael R. Roskam)
- Monsieur Lazhar (dir. Philippe Falardeau)
You can browse my complete rankings for the Foreign Language category right here.
Now check out a few new trailers from the selected films above.
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Given the schedule of North American releases for these, I've only seen three on the longlist. "Monsieur Lazhar" is good, and I hope that it gets a nomination. (I don't think it's as good as "Incendies" was last year, but it's a quieter film, and that might help it play well with the Oscar voters.)
"Pina" is very well done, and should make it to a nomination.
"Omar m'a tuer," the Moroccan entry, is pretty mundane, and I'm really surprised that it got this far.
"A Separation" is the one to beat, of course…but look at what has happened in some of the most recent races, where the highly favoured film(s) lost the Oscar to a more obscure film. It's not a sure thing!
Whoa, what about "The Skin I Live In"??
The Foreign film award at the Oscar has historically been incredibly unpredictable and near impossible to predict so despite The Seperation being a big favorite I really wouldn't at all be surprised if any of the others win.
Dammit, where's The Turin Horse? That was my film of the year. And it was his last ever film too (apparently) :(
my choice is Monsieur lazhar…although because it's subtitle it isn't as good as if you were to listen to it in its original language some of its best parts are lost but, it's my vote because it take you different emotions with such subtlety one minute you laugh the next your borderline tears….it's a very strong film set so simply..it's great I hope it wins.
My second would of been le havre but it's no longer their my third is separation. But, who really knows anyway
a seperation deserves the award,,its a briliant movie and won 53 awards so far…….i think this is a pure art
I am Iranian,and you are Iranian too.thanks a lot for your comment.
im agree with you roya
Bullhead and in darkness are great. one of them should be winner.and I like Monsieur Lazhar too.
A separation is one of the best movies I have ever seen.
i think A SEPERATION should win for alot of reason/its the best beetween them.it won the golden globe too /i didnt thought iranian director have a good imagination but i think mr farhadi have a really good scencs. congratulation to all of them.
i saw a sepration after winnig the golden globe this film should win the award.
my choice is a seperation because its dif with all of the film i`ve ever seen and have a strong director,actors and actress it may win
I think really A Separation is the best.
Thank you
Monsieur Lazhar ,Bullhead,in darkness are top of the list.very nice movies.they're great.
Bullhead,Monsieur Lazhar and in darkness are great movies