At a time when the news cycle feels like a daily reminder of how bad things are, “The Divine Order” provides a welcome reminder that at the very least, they’re better than they used to be. With Switzerland’s selection for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Film, writer-director Petra Biondina Volpe skillfully balances the personal and political in a spirited, rousing chronicle of Switzerland’s women’s suffrage movement, filtered through the experiences of a handful of locals who are tired of being marginalized even — or maybe especially — in their small village. The year is 1971: Marie Leuenberger...
- 11/16/2017
- by Todd Gilchrist
- The Wrap
A young dad-to-be’s feelings of inadequacy lead him down the path of bodybuilding and steroids in Goliath, the impressive sophomore feature from Swiss-German director Dominik Locher. While the narrative might be quite familiar, there is a sincere and lived-in quality to the story and the characters that elevates it above similar material, with young actors Sven Schelker (The Circle) and Jasna Fritzi Bauer (Axolotl Overkill), as the working-class future parents, delivering subtle and sensitive work even when their characters are anything but. After its premiere in the international competition in Locarno, this should see interest from other major festivals as...
- 8/13/2017
- by Boyd van Hoeij
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The writer-director Stefan Haupt earned festival prizes galore with his 2014 docudrama The Circle, which Switzerland nominated as its official Oscars submission. More formally conventional, Haupt’s follow-up project is a measured, dutiful adaptation of Dark Fortune, Lukas Hartmann’s 2011 novel about a tragedy that devastates one family and shakes up another. The material may be somber but the characters are engaging, the performances strong and the overall treatment elegant.
Following its international premier in competition at Black Nights film festival in Tallinn last week, where it won the Ecumenical Jury prize, Dark Fortune has the kind of solid middlebrow prestige...
Following its international premier in competition at Black Nights film festival in Tallinn last week, where it won the Ecumenical Jury prize, Dark Fortune has the kind of solid middlebrow prestige...
- 12/5/2016
- by Stephen Dalton
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The Circle star to lead biopic of Swiss activist who lived in the Borneo rainforest.
Producers and cast and are rounding on a biopic of Swiss environmental activist Bruno Manser who disappeared years after living in the depths of the Borneo rainforest.
2015 Berlinale Shooting Star Sven Schelker, star of 2015 Swiss hit The Circle, is newly on board to play Manser.
Director Niklaus Hilber, whose drama Amateur Teens won the Best Film Award at the Zurich Film Festival last year, will direct. The English, German and native Penan-language script comes from Hilber and his Amatuer Teens collaborator Patrick Tonz.
Zurich-based production outfit A Film Company (Amateur Teens) will produce in collaboration with local distributor-producer Ascot Elite Entertainment Group, which in 2014 backed one of Switzerland’s biggest productions to date in the shape of Northmen: A Viking Saga.
Shoot is due to take place in Borneo and Switzerland in 2017 with the production expecting participation from the tribe with whom...
Producers and cast and are rounding on a biopic of Swiss environmental activist Bruno Manser who disappeared years after living in the depths of the Borneo rainforest.
2015 Berlinale Shooting Star Sven Schelker, star of 2015 Swiss hit The Circle, is newly on board to play Manser.
Director Niklaus Hilber, whose drama Amateur Teens won the Best Film Award at the Zurich Film Festival last year, will direct. The English, German and native Penan-language script comes from Hilber and his Amatuer Teens collaborator Patrick Tonz.
Zurich-based production outfit A Film Company (Amateur Teens) will produce in collaboration with local distributor-producer Ascot Elite Entertainment Group, which in 2014 backed one of Switzerland’s biggest productions to date in the shape of Northmen: A Viking Saga.
Shoot is due to take place in Borneo and Switzerland in 2017 with the production expecting participation from the tribe with whom...
- 4/18/2016
- by andreas.wiseman@screendaily.com (Andreas Wiseman)
- ScreenDaily
The Circle star to lead biopic of Swiss activist who lived in the Borneo rainforest.
Producers and cast and are rounding on a biopic of Swiss environmental activist Bruno Manser who disappeared years after living in the depths of the Borneo rainforest.
2015 Berlinale Shooting Star Sven Schelker, star of 2015 Swiss hit The Circle, is newly on board to play Manser.
Director Niklaus Hilber, whose drama Amateur Teens won the Best Film Award at the Zurich Film Festival last year, will direct.
Zurich-based production outfit A Film Company (Amateur Teens) will produce in collaboration with local distributor-producer Ascot Elite Entertainment Group, who in 2014 backed one of Switzerland’s biggest productions to date in the shape of Northmen: A Viking Saga.
Shoot is due to take place in Borneo and Switzerland in 2017 with the production expecting participation from the tribe with whom Manser lived. Ascot intends to open the movie in cinemas in 2018.
Activist Manser lived from 1984 to 1990 with...
Producers and cast and are rounding on a biopic of Swiss environmental activist Bruno Manser who disappeared years after living in the depths of the Borneo rainforest.
2015 Berlinale Shooting Star Sven Schelker, star of 2015 Swiss hit The Circle, is newly on board to play Manser.
Director Niklaus Hilber, whose drama Amateur Teens won the Best Film Award at the Zurich Film Festival last year, will direct.
Zurich-based production outfit A Film Company (Amateur Teens) will produce in collaboration with local distributor-producer Ascot Elite Entertainment Group, who in 2014 backed one of Switzerland’s biggest productions to date in the shape of Northmen: A Viking Saga.
Shoot is due to take place in Borneo and Switzerland in 2017 with the production expecting participation from the tribe with whom Manser lived. Ascot intends to open the movie in cinemas in 2018.
Activist Manser lived from 1984 to 1990 with...
- 4/18/2016
- by andreas.wiseman@screendaily.com (Andreas Wiseman)
- ScreenDaily
St Petersburg’s Efp showcase will features eight titles this year.
The Swiss gay docu-drama The Circle is among eight European films being shown as part of European Film Promotion’s (Efp) third edition of its Westwind showcase in St Petersburg, October 21-25.
The line-up includes: the Spanish comedy Living Is Easy With Eyes Closed, which will be accompanied in person by its director David Trueba; Tom Collins’ Irish drama The Gift, attended by actors Dara Devaney and Paul Griffin; Montenegrin writer-director Nikola Vukčević’s revenge thriller/melodrama The Kids From Marx and Engels Street; Finnish filmmaker Pirjo Honkasalo’s dreamlike odyssey Concrete Night; and German feature debutant Sebastian Ko’s We Monsters which had its North American premiere in the Discovery sidebar in Toronto this month.
The other films programmed to screen in the Hotel Angleterre cinema are Pol Cruchten’s drama Never Die Young and Daniel Dencik’s historical drama Gold Coast as well as...
The Swiss gay docu-drama The Circle is among eight European films being shown as part of European Film Promotion’s (Efp) third edition of its Westwind showcase in St Petersburg, October 21-25.
The line-up includes: the Spanish comedy Living Is Easy With Eyes Closed, which will be accompanied in person by its director David Trueba; Tom Collins’ Irish drama The Gift, attended by actors Dara Devaney and Paul Griffin; Montenegrin writer-director Nikola Vukčević’s revenge thriller/melodrama The Kids From Marx and Engels Street; Finnish filmmaker Pirjo Honkasalo’s dreamlike odyssey Concrete Night; and German feature debutant Sebastian Ko’s We Monsters which had its North American premiere in the Discovery sidebar in Toronto this month.
The other films programmed to screen in the Hotel Angleterre cinema are Pol Cruchten’s drama Never Die Young and Daniel Dencik’s historical drama Gold Coast as well as...
- 9/29/2015
- by screen.berlin@googlemail.com (Martin Blaney)
- ScreenDaily
Swiss films have punched above their weight on the international stage this year but the industry continues to face challenges.
The year got off to an auspicious start. Stefan Haupt’s local box office hit and Swiss Films champion The Circle, produced by Contrast Film, was sold to Netflix in North America after Wide House cut a number of international deals.
Swiss films remain in demand for festivals at home and abroad. Two films play in international competition in Zurich – Micha Lewinsky’s A Decent Man (Nichts Passiert) and Ruxandra Zenide’s The Miracle Of Tekir – while Guadalajara festival director Ivan Trujillo is in town scouting films for a Swiss focus at the Mexican showcase in March.
Swiss titles have also been long-listed for European Film Academy awards.
The four Swiss documentaries in contention for nominations are: Nicola Bellucci’s Grozny Blues; Marcel Gisler’s Electroboy; Above And Below from Nicolas Steiner; and co-production The Good Life from German...
The year got off to an auspicious start. Stefan Haupt’s local box office hit and Swiss Films champion The Circle, produced by Contrast Film, was sold to Netflix in North America after Wide House cut a number of international deals.
Swiss films remain in demand for festivals at home and abroad. Two films play in international competition in Zurich – Micha Lewinsky’s A Decent Man (Nichts Passiert) and Ruxandra Zenide’s The Miracle Of Tekir – while Guadalajara festival director Ivan Trujillo is in town scouting films for a Swiss focus at the Mexican showcase in March.
Swiss titles have also been long-listed for European Film Academy awards.
The four Swiss documentaries in contention for nominations are: Nicola Bellucci’s Grozny Blues; Marcel Gisler’s Electroboy; Above And Below from Nicolas Steiner; and co-production The Good Life from German...
- 9/26/2015
- by andreas.wiseman@screendaily.com (Andreas Wiseman)
- ScreenDaily
Producers plan feature debut of Student Academy Award winner Talkhon Hamzavi.
Contrast Film, the producers of Locarno Swiss competition film Wonderland (Heimatand), are planning the feature debut of Iranian-Swiss director Talkhon Hamzavi, Oscar nominated for Best Live Action Short with Parvaneh.
Stefan Eichenberger, one of the partners in Contrast Film with Ivan Madeo and Urs Frey, produced Parvaneh which received the Silver Medal in the Foreign Film category at the Student Academy Awards in 2013 as well as the First Steps Award for Best Short in Berlin in 2013.
“The collaboration with Talkhon went well and a great friendship developed that we were keen to continue working with her,” producer Ivan Madeo told ScreenDaily during this week’s Locarno Film Festival.
Her feature-length debut - entitled Hot Spot - is being written together with Lorenz Suter (The Eternal Tourist) and was awarded a development grant worth $25,000 (Chf 25,000) by the Société Suisse des Auteurs (Ssa) at its annual funding session...
Contrast Film, the producers of Locarno Swiss competition film Wonderland (Heimatand), are planning the feature debut of Iranian-Swiss director Talkhon Hamzavi, Oscar nominated for Best Live Action Short with Parvaneh.
Stefan Eichenberger, one of the partners in Contrast Film with Ivan Madeo and Urs Frey, produced Parvaneh which received the Silver Medal in the Foreign Film category at the Student Academy Awards in 2013 as well as the First Steps Award for Best Short in Berlin in 2013.
“The collaboration with Talkhon went well and a great friendship developed that we were keen to continue working with her,” producer Ivan Madeo told ScreenDaily during this week’s Locarno Film Festival.
Her feature-length debut - entitled Hot Spot - is being written together with Lorenz Suter (The Eternal Tourist) and was awarded a development grant worth $25,000 (Chf 25,000) by the Société Suisse des Auteurs (Ssa) at its annual funding session...
- 8/13/2015
- by screen.berlin@googlemail.com (Martin Blaney)
- ScreenDaily
Producers plan feature debut of Oscar-nominated Talkhon Hamzavi.
Contrast Film, the producers of Locarno Swiss competition film Wonderland (Heimatand), are planning the feature debut of Iranian-Swiss director Talkhon Hamzavi, Oscar nominated for Best Live Action Short with Parvaneh.
Stefan Eichenberger, one of the partners in Contrast Film with Ivan Madeo and Urs Frey, produced Parvaneh which received the Silver Medal in the Foreign Film category at the Student Academy Awards in 2013 as well as the First Steps Award for Best Short in Berlin in 2013.
“The collaboration with Talkhon went well and a great friendship developed that we were keen to continue working with her,” producer Ivan Madeo told ScreenDaily during this week’s Locarno Film Festival.
Her feature-length debut - entitled Hot Spot - is being written together with Lorenz Suter (The Eternal Tourist) and was awarded a development grant worth $25,000 (Chf 25,000) by the Société Suisse des Auteurs (Ssa) at its annual funding session this week.
“The...
Contrast Film, the producers of Locarno Swiss competition film Wonderland (Heimatand), are planning the feature debut of Iranian-Swiss director Talkhon Hamzavi, Oscar nominated for Best Live Action Short with Parvaneh.
Stefan Eichenberger, one of the partners in Contrast Film with Ivan Madeo and Urs Frey, produced Parvaneh which received the Silver Medal in the Foreign Film category at the Student Academy Awards in 2013 as well as the First Steps Award for Best Short in Berlin in 2013.
“The collaboration with Talkhon went well and a great friendship developed that we were keen to continue working with her,” producer Ivan Madeo told ScreenDaily during this week’s Locarno Film Festival.
Her feature-length debut - entitled Hot Spot - is being written together with Lorenz Suter (The Eternal Tourist) and was awarded a development grant worth $25,000 (Chf 25,000) by the Société Suisse des Auteurs (Ssa) at its annual funding session this week.
“The...
- 8/13/2015
- by screen.berlin@googlemail.com (Martin Blaney)
- ScreenDaily
Since 1998, the Swiss Film Awards -- the Quartz -- have been celebrating the Swiss film industry. The 18th ceremony took place in Geneva on the Friday 13th, with awards in 11 different categories. Stefan Haupt was certainly the big winner of the event, as his film Der Kreis won Best Film and Best Script, but also Best Actor (Sven Schelker) and Best Performance in a Supporting Role (Peter Jecklin). Mixing archive footage, interviews and fictional reconstructions, Der Kreis deals with the real lives of Ernst Ostertag and Röbi Rapp, two lovers who fought for Lgtbq rights. As the film works better in its documentary dimension rather than in its failed fictional attempts, its huge success at Quartz feels a bit paradoxical. Sven Schelker's Best...
[Read the whole post on twitchfilm.com...]...
[Read the whole post on twitchfilm.com...]...
- 3/14/2015
- Screen Anarchy
★★★☆☆The notion that documentary and drama should not be mixed is overturned by The Circle (2014), an ingenious and touching slice of little known gay history beautifully made by Stefan Haupt and the Swiss entry to the 2014 Best Foreign Language Oscar race. As the Second World War rages around it, Switzerland beamed like a beacon of a potential utopia for gay men oppressed in their neighbouring environs, German especially. There were no laws denying them sexual or social activity for instance, and gay clubs flourished unhindered. The pivotal organisation was the eponymous Circle, a 'self-help organization' for gay intellectual and bohemian denizens.
- 12/15/2014
- by CineVue UK
- CineVue
A loving but clunky docudrama about the early days of gay rights, which would benefit from more vivacity
The early days of gay rights are lovingly, clunkily presented in director Stefan Haupt’s docudrama about Swiss gay magazine the Circle. Launched in 1942, it was smuggled thoughout Europe and offered advice, entertainment and erotica for people in countries where homosexuality was still illegal. Haupt cuts between contemporary interviews with Röbi and Ernst, a couple who orbited the magazine’s staff, and a shonkily acted drama about the start of their relationship. The magazine presented a high-minded ideal of homosexuality as close friendship, removed from public salaciousness. Haupt’s film is less polite, but Röbi and Ernst’s courting is still not particularly sexy. Seventy-something Röbi opens the film in drag, singing brazenly about his love for “rare plants that grow south of the border”. More of his real-life vivacity would have...
The early days of gay rights are lovingly, clunkily presented in director Stefan Haupt’s docudrama about Swiss gay magazine the Circle. Launched in 1942, it was smuggled thoughout Europe and offered advice, entertainment and erotica for people in countries where homosexuality was still illegal. Haupt cuts between contemporary interviews with Röbi and Ernst, a couple who orbited the magazine’s staff, and a shonkily acted drama about the start of their relationship. The magazine presented a high-minded ideal of homosexuality as close friendship, removed from public salaciousness. Haupt’s film is less polite, but Röbi and Ernst’s courting is still not particularly sexy. Seventy-something Röbi opens the film in drag, singing brazenly about his love for “rare plants that grow south of the border”. More of his real-life vivacity would have...
- 12/11/2014
- by Henry Barnes
- The Guardian - Film News
10 European actors to be celebrated by Efp in Berlin.
The UK’s Maisie Williams and Denmark’s Joachim Fjelstrup are among ten European acting talents to watch who have been selected for the line-up of European Film Promotion’s (Efp) Shooting Stars showcase at the 65th Berlinale (Feb 5-15).
An international jury of film professionals comprising Slovenian producer Danijel Hocevar, Polish director Malgorzata Szumowska, Swedish actress Eva Röse, UK film journalist Damon Wise, and French casting director Nathalie Cheron made its selection of six actresses and four actors from 23 nominations submitted by Efp member organisations.
The line-up for the 18th edition of Shooting Stars - with their nominated films - is as follows:
- Denmark: Joachim Fjelstrup (Itsi Bitsi)
- Finland: Emmi Parviainen (The Princess Of Egypt)
- Germany: Jannis Niewöhner (Sapphire Blue)
- Iceland: Hera Hilmer (Life In A Fishbowl)
- Ireland: Moe Dunford (Patrick’s Day)
- Lithuania: Aistė Diržiūtė (The Summer Of Sangaile)
- Spain:...
The UK’s Maisie Williams and Denmark’s Joachim Fjelstrup are among ten European acting talents to watch who have been selected for the line-up of European Film Promotion’s (Efp) Shooting Stars showcase at the 65th Berlinale (Feb 5-15).
An international jury of film professionals comprising Slovenian producer Danijel Hocevar, Polish director Malgorzata Szumowska, Swedish actress Eva Röse, UK film journalist Damon Wise, and French casting director Nathalie Cheron made its selection of six actresses and four actors from 23 nominations submitted by Efp member organisations.
The line-up for the 18th edition of Shooting Stars - with their nominated films - is as follows:
- Denmark: Joachim Fjelstrup (Itsi Bitsi)
- Finland: Emmi Parviainen (The Princess Of Egypt)
- Germany: Jannis Niewöhner (Sapphire Blue)
- Iceland: Hera Hilmer (Life In A Fishbowl)
- Ireland: Moe Dunford (Patrick’s Day)
- Lithuania: Aistė Diržiūtė (The Summer Of Sangaile)
- Spain:...
- 12/11/2014
- by screen.berlin@googlemail.com (Martin Blaney)
- ScreenDaily
The new docudrama Der Kreis looks back at a groundbreaking gay rights organisation facing prejudice and harassment in 1950s Switzerland. Why is Lgbtq film trying to reclaim history?
The director Stefan Haupt was born in Zürich. “I always thought I knew the history of my city quite well,” he says. “But it turns out I didn’t know this story at all. It isn’t really known in Switzerland.” This story is about an early gay-rights group called the Circle, which is also the title of Haupt’s new film – one of a growing number of features putting stories from the Lgbtq archives up on the big screen.
The Circle (or Der Kreis in German) was one of the world’s first organisations dedicated to lesbian and gay rights. Originating in 1932, it aimed to offer reassurance, support and education to homosexuals – first through its magazine, then through a social club...
The director Stefan Haupt was born in Zürich. “I always thought I knew the history of my city quite well,” he says. “But it turns out I didn’t know this story at all. It isn’t really known in Switzerland.” This story is about an early gay-rights group called the Circle, which is also the title of Haupt’s new film – one of a growing number of features putting stories from the Lgbtq archives up on the big screen.
The Circle (or Der Kreis in German) was one of the world’s first organisations dedicated to lesbian and gay rights. Originating in 1932, it aimed to offer reassurance, support and education to homosexuals – first through its magazine, then through a social club...
- 12/4/2014
- by Ben Walters
- The Guardian - Film News
Jose here. This year's Oscar race for Best Foreign Language Film includes many films featuring gay characters or dealing with Lgbt issues, one of them being Swiss entry The Circle, a documentary/drama hybrid that tells the story of the groundbreaking title publication, which became one of the most popular Lgbt magazines in the post-wwii era. The film, opening in limited release today, focuses on the story of two members of the network that helped create The Circle, schoolteacher Ernst Ostertag and drag entertainer Robi Rapp, who not only survived the repression of the era (which included a serial killer who targeted gay men in Zurich) but eventually became the first same sex couple to get married in Switzerland.
I had the opportunity to talk to the film's director Stefan Haupt, about this landmark project and what Oscar could mean to help share this wonderful story. Interview after the jump.
I had the opportunity to talk to the film's director Stefan Haupt, about this landmark project and what Oscar could mean to help share this wonderful story. Interview after the jump.
- 11/21/2014
- by Jose
- FilmExperience
Title: The Circle (Der Kreis) Director: Stefan Haupt Starring: Ernst Ostertag, Roebi Rapp, Matthias Hungerbuhler, Sven Schelker. Switzerland has chosen the German-language ‘Der Kreis’, (The Circle) as its submission for Best Foreign Language Film at the 87th Academy Awards. Director Stefan Haupt’s film takes place in the Zurich gay scene of the 1950s and 1960s and tells the true story of the relationship of Ernst Ostertag and Roebi Rapp. The film smoothly blends fiction with documentary to tell the real-life story of the couple, who met through The Circle, a Zurich gay club and magazine founded during World War II, which eventually became the first gay rights organisation in Europe. Usually [ Read More ]
The post The Circle Movie Review appeared first on Shockya.com.
The post The Circle Movie Review appeared first on Shockya.com.
- 11/20/2014
- by Chiara Spagnoli Gabardi
- ShockYa
Stefan Haupt's pseudo-documentary The Circle examines the lifelong romance between two men, Ernst Ostertag and Röbi Rapp, and the ways it intertwined with the rise and fall of a groundbreaking Zürich organization dedicated to fostering gay community and erotic expression. That group's magazine, Der Kreis, circulated internationally for more than 30 years, lasting through the intense censorship of the World War II era and well into the more free-spirited '60s. This is a fascinating and often tumultuous story, which Haupt chronicles through a mixture of interviews with the real Ostertag and Rapp (now married, they appear as a pair) alongside dramatized vignettes that, as the film wears on, feel like annoying interruptions. Haupt's reenactments giv...
- 11/19/2014
- Village Voice
Every year Hollywood gets a curated batch of films from dozens of countries seeking an Academy Award nomination for Best Foreign Language Film. One film per nation is chosen to represent the best of its cinematic production during the previous year. Certainly the chosen film is not always the ideal candidate, but the reasoning behind the selection usually follows two patterns: there are countries that go with the best film even if this is not the most appealing choice and there are countries that go with the most ambitious, industry-friendly, and financially successful work. This year the astonishing number of submissions – a total of 83 – makes for an incredible list of films that range from those that sport festival pedigree of the highest caliber, unknown gems looking for an audience, expensive visual achievements, and obscure art house hopefuls.
This year more than most, there are a great number of films with serious possibilities. There is no unshakable front-runner, but there are numerous favorites. Yet, looking at last year’s 9 shortlisted films and eventual 5 nominees, nothing is written in stone. Critics and audience favorites like “ The Past” (Iran), “Gloria” (Chile), “Heli” (Mexico), and “Wadjda” (Saudi Arabia) were left out to include surprises like “The Missing Picture“ (Cambodia), “An Episode in the Life of an Iron Picker” (Bosnia & Herzegovina) or “The Notebook” (Hungary).
With Awards Season now in full swing and knowing that this is one of the most difficult races to follow, here is a comprehensive list that includes information for each of the 83 submissions. Below each poster you will find the title of the film linked to its page on IMDb Pro followed by the title in the original language; the director’s name also linked to his/her IMDb Page; the language the film is primarily in; the name of the U.S. distributor if there is one; the name of the film’s International Sales Agent (Isa) or Production Company (PC) linked to the film’s page on Cinando; and a link to the film’s trailer (most of them have English subtitles, others are only in the original language, and a few are videos related to the film because a trailer wasn't available). In addition, reviews and interviews with many of these filmmakers will be added regularly.
Before getting into the list, let’s take a look at some of the statistics and patterns among these 83 foreign language features.
Period Dramas/Biopics
Several countries selected films based on the lives of prominent local figures or great period pieces, both showcase the level of films being produced across the globe in terms of production value and scope. Mexico’s “Cantinflas,” Venezuela’s “The Liberator,” Kyrgyzstan “Kurmanjan Datka Queen of the Mountains,” Bolivia’s “Forgotten,” Indonesia’s “Soekarno,” Greece’s “Little England,” Macedonia’s “To the Hilt,” Hong Kong’s “The Golden Era,” Austria’s “The Dark Valley,” Switzerland’s “The Circle,” Bulgaria’s “Bulgarian Rhapsody,” Serbia’s “ See You in Montevideo,” Slovakia’s “A Step Into the Dark” and New Zealand’s “The Dead Lands” are some of the most expensive films ever made in their respective territories. All of them are epic productions that highlight an important historical period using impressive cinematography, a great number of extras, intricate costumes, lavish locations, detailed production design, as well as great battle sequences in several of them. Other more traditional biopics/period pieces on the list include France’s “Saint Laurent,” The Netherlands “ Accused,” Germany’s “Beloved Sisters,” Spain’s “Living Is Easy with Eyes Closed” and the Czech Republic’s “Fair Play”
Masters and Festival Winners
Not surprisingly many of the films on the list come into this race after winning important awards at international festivals. Furthermore, a handful of them are from master filmmakers, masters in the making, or unique new voices. These films include Belgium’s “Two Days, One Night” (Cannes, Telluride, Tiff, Nyff, AFI Fest) by the Dardenne Brothers, Canada’s “Mommy” (Cannes, Telluride, Tiff, AFI Fest) by prodigy Xavier Dolan, Chile’s “To Kill a Man” (Sundance, Rotterdam, Cartagena) by Alejandro Fernandez Almendras, Hungary's "White God" (Cannes) by Kornél Mundruczó, Norway’s “1001 Grams” (Tiff) by Bent Hamer, Poland’s “Ida”(Tiff, Sundance) by Pawel Pawlikowski, Russia’s “Leviathan” (Cannes, Telluride, Tiff, AFI Fest) by Andrey Zvyagintsev, Sweden’s “Force Majeure” (Cannes, Telluride, Tiff) by Ruben Östlund, and Turkey’s “ Winter Sleep” (Cannes, Telluride, Tiff) by Nuri Bilge Ceylan. All of these films have played at renowned international festivals and most have earned important recognition there.
Out of the Box
Whether they are aware of their actual possibilities at a nomination or not, each year a few countries take the risk of sending a film that defies convention despite having more safe choices. But that is not say they are entirely out of the race, films like “The Missing Picture” and “Dogtooth” prove that sometimes there is room for daring and unique filmmaking. With “Rocks in My Pockets” Latvia is the only country to submit an animated film this year. The film is an inventive and colorful look at depression. Then there is the almost-silent and highly poetic Ecuadorian entry “Silence in Dreamland” and Singapore’s musically driven drama “Sayang Disayang.” However, the boldest selection has to be the Philippines’ “Norte, the End of History” by acclaimed auteur Lav Diaz, which runs over four hours and is inspired by Dostoyevsky Crime and Punishment.
Documentaries
Only two countries chose to go with non-fiction entries. One of them is Panama’s “Invasion,” which deals with the aftermath of the U.S. intervention in that country in 1989. This is the Central American nation’s first ever Oscar submission. The other documentary contending is Portugal’s “ What Now? Remind Me,“ a self-portrait by filmmaker Joaquim Pinto exploring his struggles living with HIV. One should note that Portugal is one of the few countries in Western Europe to have never obtained a nomination in the category despite entering films consecutively for several decades.
Lgbt
Films with stories that highlight sexual diversity occasionally make their way into this list. Last year the only Lgbt title submitted was “ Soongava: Dance of the Orchids,” which surprisingly came from Nepal and dealt with the relationship between two young women in the traditional Asian society. This time around two countries selected films with similar themes. Brazil’s festival darling “ The Way He Looks” – a sweet coming-of-age tale- was an audacious choice among the many other films the South American country produces every year. Then there is Switzerland’s “The Circle” about a pioneering gay publication during the 1940s/1950s in Zurich and the real life relationship between two of its prominent members.
Surprising Choices
As it usually happens, some countries go against what the industry expects and decide to send films that weren’t on most people’s radars. Bulgaria for example selected “Bulgarian Rhapsody” by veteran director Ivan Nitchev over Sundance’s “Viktoria” by young female director Maya Vitkova. Similarly, Ukraine overlooked Cannes favorite “The Tribe”- a powerful drama entirely in sign language - and decided to go with “The Guide” by Oles Sanin. Nevertheless, the most shocking decision came from China. Instead of selecting a Chinese-directed film like Berlin’s Golden Bear winner “Black Coal, Thin Ice” or Zhang Yimou’s “Coming Home,” the Chinese selection committee chose “The Nightingale” by French director Philippe Muyl. Despite having a European helmer the film is authentically Chinese in terms of language and story, but it was still an unexpected move from the traditionally patriotic country.
First Timers
The unprecedented number of entries is in part due to the addition of countries submitting for the first time. Besides aforementioned Panama, there are three other debutant nations in the mix. Kosovo- a tiny Balkan state often associated with the rampart war that afflicted the region a few decades ago - is finally showcasing its film production. Their entry titled “Three Windows and a Hanging” is said to be a high quality, affecting drama. Malta - a European island nation near Italy - is often used as astonishing location for big budget studio films. This year, however, “ Simshar,” a great immigration drama will represent the country. Lastly, Mauritania – a prominently Muslim nation in Sub-Saharan Africa – selected Abderrahmane Sissako’s “Timbuktu,”which played in competition at Cannes,as their inaugural submission. Although Sissako has had several successful films at international festivals, this is the first time his country decides to participate.
Female Directors
Out of the 83 films, 14 were directed by women. That’s 17% of all entries. What’s more interesting is the fact that some of these films come from countries that are often seen as traditionally patriarchal societies. 3 Latin American entries were created by female directors: Colombia’s “Mateo,” Costa Rica’s “Red Princesses” and the Dominican Republic’s “Cristo Rey.” 4 from Asia: Hong Kong’s “ The Golden Era,” India’s “Liar’s Dice,” Japan’s “The Light Shines Only There,” and Pakistan’s “Dukhtar.” 2 from the Middle East: Israel’s “Gett: The Trial of Viviane Amsalem” (Co-directed) and Palestine’s “Eyes of a Thief.” Lastly, 5 films from Europe: The Czech Republic’s “Fair Play,” Finland’s “Concrete Night,” Latvia’s “ Rocks in My Pockets,” Malta’s “Simshar” and the Netherlands’ “Accused.”
U.S. Distribution
Another interesting fact is the number of these films that already have U.S. distribution. Several of them have actually already opened theatrically here, and others are set to open early next year. Out 83 films, 24 already have U.S. distribution. That’s 29% of all films. Hopefully that number increases by the end of the season. The films are: Argentina’s “Wild Tales,” Austria’s “The Dark Valley,” Belgium’s “Two Days, One Night,” Brazil’s “The Way He Looks,” Canada’s “Mommy,” Chile’s “To Kill a Man,” France’s “Saint Laurent,” Germany’s “Beloved Sisters,” Hungary’s “White God,” Israel’s “ Gett: The Trial of Viviane Amsalem,” Italy’s “Human Capital,” Latvia’s “Rocks in My Pockets,” Mauritania’s “Timbuktu,” Mexico’s “Cantinflas,” Norway’s “1001 Grams,” The Philippines “Norte, the End of History,” Poland’s “Ida,” Portugal's "What Now? Remind Me," Russia’s “Leviathan,” Spain’s “Living Is Easy with Eyes Closed,” Sweden’s “Force Majeure,” Switzerland’s “The Circle,” Turkey’s “Winter Sleep,” and Venezuela’s “ The Liberator.”
To see which distribution company has each of these films please refer to the list below.
Afghanistan
"A Few Cubic Meters of Love" (چند متر مکعب عشق)
Dir: Jamshid Mahmoudi
Language: Persian
U.S Distribution: None Yet
Isa: Dreamlab Films
Trailer
Argentina
"Wild Tales" (Relatos Salvajes)
Dir: Damián Szifrón
Language: Spanish
U.S Distribution: Sony Pictures Classics
Isa: Film Factory Entertainment
Trailer
Austria
"The Dark Valley" (Das finstere Tal)
Dir: Andreas Prochaska
Language: German
U.S Distribution: Film Movement
Isa: Films Distribution
Trailer
Australia
"Charlie's Country"
Dir: Rolf de Heer
Language: Yolŋu Matha/English
U.S Distribution: None Yet
Isa: Visit Films
Trailer
Azerbaijan
"Nabat"
Dir: Elcin Musaoglu
Language: Azerbaijani
U.S Distribution: None Yet
Isa: Dreamlab Films
Trailer
Bangladesh
"Glow of the Firefly" (Jonakir Alo)
Dir: Khalid Mahmood Mithu
Language: Bengali
U.S Distribution: None Yet
PC: Impress Telefilm
Trailer
Belgium
"Two Days, One Night" (Deux jours, une nuit)
Dir: Jean-Pierre Dardenne & Luc Dardenne
Language: French/Arabic
U.S Distribution: Sundance Selects
Isa: Wild Bunch
Trailer
Bolivia
"Forgotten" (Olvidados)
Dir: Carlos Bolado
Language: Spanish
U.S Distribution: None Yet
PC: Flor de Loto Pictures
Trailer
Bosnia & Herzegovina
"With Mom" (Sa mamom)
Dir: Faruk Loncarevic
Language: Bosnian
U.S Distribution: None Yet
PC: Scca/pro.ba
TraileR
Brazil
"The Way He Looks" (Hoje Eu Quero Voltar Sozinho)
Dir: Daniel Ribeiro
Language: Portuguese
U.S Distribution: Strand Releasing
Isa: Films Boutique Trailer
Bulgaria
"Bulgarian Rhapsody" (българска рапсодия)
Dir: Ivan Nitchev
Language: Bulgarian
U.S Distribution: None Yet
PC: Cinepaz Eood
Trailer
Canada
"Mommy"
Dir: Xavier Dolan
Language: French/English
U.S Distribution: Roadside Attractions
Isa: Seville International
Trailer
Chile
"To Kill a Man" (Matar a un Hombre)
Dir: Alejandro Fernández Almendras
Language: Spanish
U.S Distribution: Film Movement
Isa: Film Factory Entertainment
Trailer
China
"The Nightingale" (夜莺/Le promeneur d'oiseau)
Dir: Philippe Muyl
Language: Mandarin
U.S Distribution: None Yet
Isa: Kinology
Trailer
Colombia
"Mateo"
Dir: Maria Gamboa ♀
Language: Spanish
U.S Distribution: None Yet
Isa: Alpha Violet
Trailer
Costa Rica
"Red Princesses" (Princesas Rojas)
Dir: Laura Astorga ♀
Language: Spanish
U.S Distribution: None Yet
Isa: Latido Films Trailer
Croatia
"Cowboys" (Kauboji)
Dir: Tomislav Mrsic
Language: Croatian
U.S Distribution: None Yet
Isa: Wide
Trailer
Cuba
"Behavior" (Conducta)
Dir: Ernesto Daranas
Language: Spanish
U.S Distribution: None Yet
Isa: Latido Films
Trailer
Czech Republic
"Fair Play"
Dir: Andrea Sedlácková Andrea Sedlácková
Language: Czech
U.S Distribution: None Yet
Isa: IntraMovies
Trailer
Denmark
"Sorrow and Joy" (Sorg og glæde)
Dir: Nils Malmros
Language: Danish
U.S Distribution: None Yet
PC: Nordisk Film Production
Trailer
Dominican Republic
"Cristo Rey"
Dir: Leticia Tonos ♀
Language: Spanish
U.S Distribution: None Yet
Isa: The Little Film Company
Trailer
Ecuador
"Silence in Dreamland" (El Silencio en la Tierra de los Sueños)
Dir: Tito Molina
Language: Spanish
U.S Distribution: None Yet
PC: La Facultad
Trailer
Egypt
"Factory Girl" (فتاة المصنع )
Dir: Mohamed Khan
Language: Arabic
U.S Distribution: None Yet
PC: DayDream Art Production
Trailer
Estonia
"Tangerines" (Mandariinid)
Dir: Zaza Urushadze
Language: Estonian/Russian
U.S Distribution: None Yet
Isa: Cinemavault
Trailer
Ethiopia
"Difret"
Dir: Zeresenay Mehari
Language: Amharic
U.S Distribution: None Yet
Isa: Films Boutique Trailer
Finland
"Concrete Night" (Betoniyö)
Dir: Pirjo Honkasalo ♀
Language: Finnish
U.S Distribution: None Yet
Isa: Film Republic Trailer
France
"Saint Laurent"
Dir: Bertrand Bonello
Language: French
U.S Distribution: Sony Pictures Classics
Isa: Europacorp
Trailer
Georgia
"Corn Island" (სიმინდის კუნძული)
Dir: George Ovashvili
Language: Georgian/Abkhazian/Russian
U.S Distribution: None Yet
Isa: Arizona Productions
Trailer
Germany
"Beloved Sisters" (Die geliebten Schwestern)
Dir: Dominik Graf
Language: German /French
U.S Distribution: Music Box Films
Isa: Global Screen
Trailer
Greece
"Little England" (Μικρά Αγγλία)
Dir: Pantelis Voulgaris
Language: Greek
U.S Distribution: None Yet
PC: Black Orange
Trailer
Hong Kong
"The Golden Era" (黄金时代)
Dir: Ann Hui ♀
Language: Mandarin
U.S Distribution: None Yet
Isa: Edko Films
Trailer
Hungary
"White God" (Fehér isten)
Dir: Kornél Mundruczó
Language: Hungarian/English
U.S Distribution: Magnolia Pictures
Isa: The Match Factory
Trailer
Iceland
"Life in a Fishbowl" (Vonarstræti)
Dir: Baldvin Zophoníasson
Language: None Yet
U.S Distribution: None Yet
Isa: Films Boutique Trailer
India
"Liar's Dice" (लायर्स डाइस)
Dir: Geethu Mohandas ♀
Language: Hindi
U.S Distribution: None Yet
PC: Jar Pictures Trailer
Indonesia
"Soekarno"
Dir: Hanung Bramantyo
Language: Indonesian
U.S Distribution: None Yet
PC: Mvp Pictures
Trailer
Iran
"Today" (امروز )
Dir: Reza Mirkarimi
Language: Persian
U.S Distribution: None Yet
Isa: Dreamlab Films
Trailer
Iraq
"Mardan"
Dir: Batin Ghobadi
Language: Kurdish
U.S Distribution: None Yet
Isa: Versatile Trailer
Ireland
"The Gift" (An Bronntanas)
Dir: Tom Collins
Language: Irish/English
U.S Distribution: None Yet
PC: Rosg/De Facto Films
Trailer
Israel
"Gett: The Trial of Viviane Amsalem" (Gett: Le Procès de Viviane Amsalem)
Dir: Ronit Elkabetz ♀ & Shlomi Elkabetz
Language: Hebrew/French/Arabic
U.S Distribution: Music Box Films
Isa: Films Distribution
Trailer
Italy
"Human Capital" (Il Capitale Umano)
Dir: Paolo Virzì
Language: Italian
U.S Distribution: Film Movement
PC: Indiana Production Company
Trailer
Japan
"The Light Shines Only There" (そこのみにて光輝く)
Dir: Mipo Oh ♀
Language: Japanese
U.S Distribution: None Yet
Isa: Open Sesame
Trailer
Kosovo
"Three Windows and a Hanging" (Tri Dritare dhe një Varje)
Dir: Isa Qosja
Language: Albanian
U.S Distribution: None Yet
PC: CMb Productions
Trailer
Kyrgyzstan
"Kurmanjan Datka Queen of the Mountains" (Курманжан Датка)
Dir: Sadyk Sher-Niyaz
Language: Kirghiz
U.S Distribution: None Yet
PC: Aitysh Film
Trailer
Latvia
"Rocks in My Pockets" (Akmeņi manās kabatās)
Dir: Signe Baumane ♀
Language: Latvian
U.S Distribution: Zeitgeist Films
Isa: New Europe Film Sales
Trailer
Lebanon
"Ghadi" (غدي)
Dir: Amin Dora
Language: Arabic
U.S Distribution: None Yet
Isa: Fortissimo Films
Trailer
Lithuania
"The Gambler" (Lošėjas)
Dir: Ignas Jonynas
Language: Lithuanian
U.S Distribution: None Yet
Isa: Wide
Trailer
Luxembourg
"Never Die Young"
Dir: Pol Cruchten
Language: French
U.S Distribution: None Yet
Isa: EastWest Distribution
Trailer
MacEdonia
"To the Hilt" (До балчак)
Dir: Stole Popov
Language: Macedonian/French/English/ Turkish
U.S Distribution: None Yet
PC: Triangle Film- Skopje
Trailer
Malta
"Simshar"
Dir: Rebecca Cremona ♀
Language: Maltese
U.S Distribution: None Yet
PC: Kukumajsa Productions
Trailer
Mauritania
"Timbuktu"
Dir: Abderrahmane Sissako
Language: French/Arabic/Bambara/English/Songhay/Tamasheq
U.S Distribution: Cohen Media Group
Isa: Le Pacte
Trailer
Mexico
"Cantinflas"
Dir: Sebastian del Amo
Language: Spanish/English
U.S Distribution: Pantelion Films
Isa: 6 Sales
Trailer
Moldova
"The Unsaved" (La Limita de Jos a Cerului)
Dir: Igor Cobileanski
Language: Romanian
U.S Distribution: None Yet
Isa: Insomnia World Sales Trailer
Montenegro
"The Boys from Marx and Engels Street" (Djecaci iz ulice Marksa i Engelsa)
Dir: Nikola Vukcevic
Language: Serbian
U.S Distribution: None Yet
PC: Artikulacija Production
Trailer
Morocco
"The Red Moon" (القمر الأحمر)
Dir: Hassan Benjelloun
Language: Arabic
U.S Distribution: None Yet
PC: Bentaqerla
Trailer
Nepal
"Jhola" (झोला)
Dir: Yadav Kumar Bhattarai
Language: Nepali
U.S Distribution: None Yet
PC: Media for Culture
Trailer
The Netherlands
"Accused" (Lucia de B.)
Dir: Paula van der Oest ♀
Language: Dutch
U.S Distribution: None Yet
Isa: Fortissimo Films
Trailer
New Zealand
"The Dead Lands"
Dir: Toa Fraser
Language: Maori
U.S Distribution: None Yet
Isa: Xyz Films
Trailer
Norway
"1001 Grams" (1001 Gram)
Dir: Bent Hamer
Language: Norwegian/French/ English
U.S Distribution: Kino Lorber
Isa: Les Films du Losange
Trailer
Pakistan
"Dukhtar" (دختر، بیٹی)
Dir: Afia Nathaniel ♀
Language: Urdu
U.S Distribution: None Yet
PC: Zambeel Films
Trailer
Palestine
"Eyes of a Thief" (عيون الحراميه)
Dir: Najwa Najjar ♀
Language: Arabic
U.S Distribution: None Yet
PC: Ustura Films Trailer
Panama
"Invasion" (Invasión)
Dir: Abner Benaim
Language: Spanish
U.S Distribution: None Yet
Isa: Apertura Films Trailer
Peru
"The Gospel of the Flesh" (El Evangelio de la Carne)
Dir: Eduardo Mendoza de Echave
Language: Spanish
U.S Distribution: None Yet
PC: La Soga Producciones
Trailer
The Philippines
"Norte, the End of History" (Norte, Hangganan ng Kasaysayan)
Dir: Lav Diaz
Language: Tagalog/English
U.S Distribution: The Cinema Guild
Isa: M-Appeal World Sales
Trailer
Poland
"Ida"
Dir: Pawel Pawlikowski
Language: Polish
U.S Distribution: Music Box Films
Isa: Portobello Film Sales
Trailer
Portugal
"What Now? Remind Me" (E Agora? Lembra-me)
Dir: Joaquim Pinto
Language: Portuguese
U.S Distribution: The Cinema Guild
PC: C.R.I.M Productions
Trailer
Romania
"The Japanese Dog" (Câinele Japonez)
Dir: Tudor Cristian Jurgiu
Language: Romanian/Japanese
U.S Distribution: None Yet
Isa: M-Appeal World Sales
Trailer
Russia
"Leviathan" (Левиафан)
Dir: Andrey Zvyagintsev
Language: Russian
U.S Distribution: Sony Pictures Classics
Isa: Pyramide International
Trailer
Serbia
"See You in Montevideo" (Montevideo, vidimo se!)
Dir: Dragan Bjelogrlic
Language: Serbian/Spanish/ English
U.S Distribution: None Yet
PC: Intermedia Network
Trailer
Singapore
"Sayang Disayang"
Dir: Sanif Olek
Language: Malay/Indonesian
U.S Distribution: None Yet
PC: ReelJuice
Trailer
Slovakia
"A Step Into the Dark" (Krok do tmy)
Dir: Miloslav Luther
Language: Slovak
U.S Distribution: None Yet
PC: Trigon Production Trailer
Slovenia
"Seduce Me" (Zapelji me)
Dir: Marko Santic
Language: Slovenian
U.S Distribution: None Yet
PC: Radio-Television Slovenia
Trailer
South Africa
"Elelwani"
Dir: Ntshaveni Wa Luruli
Language: Venda
U.S Distribution: None Yet
Isa: EastWest FilmDistribution
Trailer
South Korea
"Haemoo" (해무)
Dir: Sung Bo Shim
Language: Korean
U.S Distribution: None Yet
Isa: Finecut
Trailer
Spain
"Living Is Easy with Eyes Closed" (Vivir es fácil con los ojos cerrados)
Dir: David Trueba
Language: Spanish
U.S Distribution: Outsider Pictures
Isa: 6 Sales
Trailer
Sweden
"Force Majeure" (Turist)
Dir: Ruben Östlund
Language: Swedish/English
U.S Distribution: Magnolia Pictures
Isa: Coproduction Office (Paris)
Trailer
Switzerland
"The Circle" (Der Kreis)
Dir: Stefan Haupt
Language: Swiss German/ German/ French
U.S Distribution: Wolfe Video
Isa: Wide House
Trailer
Taiwan
"Ice Poison" (冰毒)
Dir: Midi Z.
Language: Burmese/Chinese
U.S Distribution: None Yet
Isa: Flash Forward Enterteinment
Trailer
Thailand
"The Teacher's Diary" (คิดถึงวิทยา)
Dir: Nithiwat Tharathorn
Language: Thai
U.S Distribution: None Yet
Isa: Gth
Trailer
Turkey
"Winter Sleep" (Kis uykusu)
Dir: Nuri Bilge Ceylan
Language: Turkish/English
U.S Distribution: Adopt Films
Isa: Memento Films International
Trailer
Ukraine
"The Guide" (Поводир)
Dir: Oles Sanin
Language: Ukrainian/Russia/English
U.S Distribution: None Yet
PC: Pronto Film
Trailer
United Kingdom
"Little Happiness" (Uzun Yol)
Dir: Nihat Seven
Language: Turkish
U.S Distribution: None Yet
Isa: 7&7 Producers' Sales Services
Trailer
Uruguay
"Mr. Kaplan"
Dir: Álvaro Brechner
Language: Spanish
U.S Distribution: None Yet
Isa: Memento Films International
Trailer
Venezuela
"The Liberator" (Libertador)
Dir: Alberto Arvelo
Language: Spanish/English/ French
U.S Distribution: Cohen Media Group
Isa: Mundial
Trailer...
This year more than most, there are a great number of films with serious possibilities. There is no unshakable front-runner, but there are numerous favorites. Yet, looking at last year’s 9 shortlisted films and eventual 5 nominees, nothing is written in stone. Critics and audience favorites like “ The Past” (Iran), “Gloria” (Chile), “Heli” (Mexico), and “Wadjda” (Saudi Arabia) were left out to include surprises like “The Missing Picture“ (Cambodia), “An Episode in the Life of an Iron Picker” (Bosnia & Herzegovina) or “The Notebook” (Hungary).
With Awards Season now in full swing and knowing that this is one of the most difficult races to follow, here is a comprehensive list that includes information for each of the 83 submissions. Below each poster you will find the title of the film linked to its page on IMDb Pro followed by the title in the original language; the director’s name also linked to his/her IMDb Page; the language the film is primarily in; the name of the U.S. distributor if there is one; the name of the film’s International Sales Agent (Isa) or Production Company (PC) linked to the film’s page on Cinando; and a link to the film’s trailer (most of them have English subtitles, others are only in the original language, and a few are videos related to the film because a trailer wasn't available). In addition, reviews and interviews with many of these filmmakers will be added regularly.
Before getting into the list, let’s take a look at some of the statistics and patterns among these 83 foreign language features.
Period Dramas/Biopics
Several countries selected films based on the lives of prominent local figures or great period pieces, both showcase the level of films being produced across the globe in terms of production value and scope. Mexico’s “Cantinflas,” Venezuela’s “The Liberator,” Kyrgyzstan “Kurmanjan Datka Queen of the Mountains,” Bolivia’s “Forgotten,” Indonesia’s “Soekarno,” Greece’s “Little England,” Macedonia’s “To the Hilt,” Hong Kong’s “The Golden Era,” Austria’s “The Dark Valley,” Switzerland’s “The Circle,” Bulgaria’s “Bulgarian Rhapsody,” Serbia’s “ See You in Montevideo,” Slovakia’s “A Step Into the Dark” and New Zealand’s “The Dead Lands” are some of the most expensive films ever made in their respective territories. All of them are epic productions that highlight an important historical period using impressive cinematography, a great number of extras, intricate costumes, lavish locations, detailed production design, as well as great battle sequences in several of them. Other more traditional biopics/period pieces on the list include France’s “Saint Laurent,” The Netherlands “ Accused,” Germany’s “Beloved Sisters,” Spain’s “Living Is Easy with Eyes Closed” and the Czech Republic’s “Fair Play”
Masters and Festival Winners
Not surprisingly many of the films on the list come into this race after winning important awards at international festivals. Furthermore, a handful of them are from master filmmakers, masters in the making, or unique new voices. These films include Belgium’s “Two Days, One Night” (Cannes, Telluride, Tiff, Nyff, AFI Fest) by the Dardenne Brothers, Canada’s “Mommy” (Cannes, Telluride, Tiff, AFI Fest) by prodigy Xavier Dolan, Chile’s “To Kill a Man” (Sundance, Rotterdam, Cartagena) by Alejandro Fernandez Almendras, Hungary's "White God" (Cannes) by Kornél Mundruczó, Norway’s “1001 Grams” (Tiff) by Bent Hamer, Poland’s “Ida”(Tiff, Sundance) by Pawel Pawlikowski, Russia’s “Leviathan” (Cannes, Telluride, Tiff, AFI Fest) by Andrey Zvyagintsev, Sweden’s “Force Majeure” (Cannes, Telluride, Tiff) by Ruben Östlund, and Turkey’s “ Winter Sleep” (Cannes, Telluride, Tiff) by Nuri Bilge Ceylan. All of these films have played at renowned international festivals and most have earned important recognition there.
Out of the Box
Whether they are aware of their actual possibilities at a nomination or not, each year a few countries take the risk of sending a film that defies convention despite having more safe choices. But that is not say they are entirely out of the race, films like “The Missing Picture” and “Dogtooth” prove that sometimes there is room for daring and unique filmmaking. With “Rocks in My Pockets” Latvia is the only country to submit an animated film this year. The film is an inventive and colorful look at depression. Then there is the almost-silent and highly poetic Ecuadorian entry “Silence in Dreamland” and Singapore’s musically driven drama “Sayang Disayang.” However, the boldest selection has to be the Philippines’ “Norte, the End of History” by acclaimed auteur Lav Diaz, which runs over four hours and is inspired by Dostoyevsky Crime and Punishment.
Documentaries
Only two countries chose to go with non-fiction entries. One of them is Panama’s “Invasion,” which deals with the aftermath of the U.S. intervention in that country in 1989. This is the Central American nation’s first ever Oscar submission. The other documentary contending is Portugal’s “ What Now? Remind Me,“ a self-portrait by filmmaker Joaquim Pinto exploring his struggles living with HIV. One should note that Portugal is one of the few countries in Western Europe to have never obtained a nomination in the category despite entering films consecutively for several decades.
Lgbt
Films with stories that highlight sexual diversity occasionally make their way into this list. Last year the only Lgbt title submitted was “ Soongava: Dance of the Orchids,” which surprisingly came from Nepal and dealt with the relationship between two young women in the traditional Asian society. This time around two countries selected films with similar themes. Brazil’s festival darling “ The Way He Looks” – a sweet coming-of-age tale- was an audacious choice among the many other films the South American country produces every year. Then there is Switzerland’s “The Circle” about a pioneering gay publication during the 1940s/1950s in Zurich and the real life relationship between two of its prominent members.
Surprising Choices
As it usually happens, some countries go against what the industry expects and decide to send films that weren’t on most people’s radars. Bulgaria for example selected “Bulgarian Rhapsody” by veteran director Ivan Nitchev over Sundance’s “Viktoria” by young female director Maya Vitkova. Similarly, Ukraine overlooked Cannes favorite “The Tribe”- a powerful drama entirely in sign language - and decided to go with “The Guide” by Oles Sanin. Nevertheless, the most shocking decision came from China. Instead of selecting a Chinese-directed film like Berlin’s Golden Bear winner “Black Coal, Thin Ice” or Zhang Yimou’s “Coming Home,” the Chinese selection committee chose “The Nightingale” by French director Philippe Muyl. Despite having a European helmer the film is authentically Chinese in terms of language and story, but it was still an unexpected move from the traditionally patriotic country.
First Timers
The unprecedented number of entries is in part due to the addition of countries submitting for the first time. Besides aforementioned Panama, there are three other debutant nations in the mix. Kosovo- a tiny Balkan state often associated with the rampart war that afflicted the region a few decades ago - is finally showcasing its film production. Their entry titled “Three Windows and a Hanging” is said to be a high quality, affecting drama. Malta - a European island nation near Italy - is often used as astonishing location for big budget studio films. This year, however, “ Simshar,” a great immigration drama will represent the country. Lastly, Mauritania – a prominently Muslim nation in Sub-Saharan Africa – selected Abderrahmane Sissako’s “Timbuktu,”which played in competition at Cannes,as their inaugural submission. Although Sissako has had several successful films at international festivals, this is the first time his country decides to participate.
Female Directors
Out of the 83 films, 14 were directed by women. That’s 17% of all entries. What’s more interesting is the fact that some of these films come from countries that are often seen as traditionally patriarchal societies. 3 Latin American entries were created by female directors: Colombia’s “Mateo,” Costa Rica’s “Red Princesses” and the Dominican Republic’s “Cristo Rey.” 4 from Asia: Hong Kong’s “ The Golden Era,” India’s “Liar’s Dice,” Japan’s “The Light Shines Only There,” and Pakistan’s “Dukhtar.” 2 from the Middle East: Israel’s “Gett: The Trial of Viviane Amsalem” (Co-directed) and Palestine’s “Eyes of a Thief.” Lastly, 5 films from Europe: The Czech Republic’s “Fair Play,” Finland’s “Concrete Night,” Latvia’s “ Rocks in My Pockets,” Malta’s “Simshar” and the Netherlands’ “Accused.”
U.S. Distribution
Another interesting fact is the number of these films that already have U.S. distribution. Several of them have actually already opened theatrically here, and others are set to open early next year. Out 83 films, 24 already have U.S. distribution. That’s 29% of all films. Hopefully that number increases by the end of the season. The films are: Argentina’s “Wild Tales,” Austria’s “The Dark Valley,” Belgium’s “Two Days, One Night,” Brazil’s “The Way He Looks,” Canada’s “Mommy,” Chile’s “To Kill a Man,” France’s “Saint Laurent,” Germany’s “Beloved Sisters,” Hungary’s “White God,” Israel’s “ Gett: The Trial of Viviane Amsalem,” Italy’s “Human Capital,” Latvia’s “Rocks in My Pockets,” Mauritania’s “Timbuktu,” Mexico’s “Cantinflas,” Norway’s “1001 Grams,” The Philippines “Norte, the End of History,” Poland’s “Ida,” Portugal's "What Now? Remind Me," Russia’s “Leviathan,” Spain’s “Living Is Easy with Eyes Closed,” Sweden’s “Force Majeure,” Switzerland’s “The Circle,” Turkey’s “Winter Sleep,” and Venezuela’s “ The Liberator.”
To see which distribution company has each of these films please refer to the list below.
Afghanistan
"A Few Cubic Meters of Love" (چند متر مکعب عشق)
Dir: Jamshid Mahmoudi
Language: Persian
U.S Distribution: None Yet
Isa: Dreamlab Films
Trailer
Argentina
"Wild Tales" (Relatos Salvajes)
Dir: Damián Szifrón
Language: Spanish
U.S Distribution: Sony Pictures Classics
Isa: Film Factory Entertainment
Trailer
Austria
"The Dark Valley" (Das finstere Tal)
Dir: Andreas Prochaska
Language: German
U.S Distribution: Film Movement
Isa: Films Distribution
Trailer
Australia
"Charlie's Country"
Dir: Rolf de Heer
Language: Yolŋu Matha/English
U.S Distribution: None Yet
Isa: Visit Films
Trailer
Azerbaijan
"Nabat"
Dir: Elcin Musaoglu
Language: Azerbaijani
U.S Distribution: None Yet
Isa: Dreamlab Films
Trailer
Bangladesh
"Glow of the Firefly" (Jonakir Alo)
Dir: Khalid Mahmood Mithu
Language: Bengali
U.S Distribution: None Yet
PC: Impress Telefilm
Trailer
Belgium
"Two Days, One Night" (Deux jours, une nuit)
Dir: Jean-Pierre Dardenne & Luc Dardenne
Language: French/Arabic
U.S Distribution: Sundance Selects
Isa: Wild Bunch
Trailer
Bolivia
"Forgotten" (Olvidados)
Dir: Carlos Bolado
Language: Spanish
U.S Distribution: None Yet
PC: Flor de Loto Pictures
Trailer
Bosnia & Herzegovina
"With Mom" (Sa mamom)
Dir: Faruk Loncarevic
Language: Bosnian
U.S Distribution: None Yet
PC: Scca/pro.ba
TraileR
Brazil
"The Way He Looks" (Hoje Eu Quero Voltar Sozinho)
Dir: Daniel Ribeiro
Language: Portuguese
U.S Distribution: Strand Releasing
Isa: Films Boutique Trailer
Bulgaria
"Bulgarian Rhapsody" (българска рапсодия)
Dir: Ivan Nitchev
Language: Bulgarian
U.S Distribution: None Yet
PC: Cinepaz Eood
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Canada
"Mommy"
Dir: Xavier Dolan
Language: French/English
U.S Distribution: Roadside Attractions
Isa: Seville International
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Chile
"To Kill a Man" (Matar a un Hombre)
Dir: Alejandro Fernández Almendras
Language: Spanish
U.S Distribution: Film Movement
Isa: Film Factory Entertainment
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China
"The Nightingale" (夜莺/Le promeneur d'oiseau)
Dir: Philippe Muyl
Language: Mandarin
U.S Distribution: None Yet
Isa: Kinology
Trailer
Colombia
"Mateo"
Dir: Maria Gamboa ♀
Language: Spanish
U.S Distribution: None Yet
Isa: Alpha Violet
Trailer
Costa Rica
"Red Princesses" (Princesas Rojas)
Dir: Laura Astorga ♀
Language: Spanish
U.S Distribution: None Yet
Isa: Latido Films Trailer
Croatia
"Cowboys" (Kauboji)
Dir: Tomislav Mrsic
Language: Croatian
U.S Distribution: None Yet
Isa: Wide
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Cuba
"Behavior" (Conducta)
Dir: Ernesto Daranas
Language: Spanish
U.S Distribution: None Yet
Isa: Latido Films
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Czech Republic
"Fair Play"
Dir: Andrea Sedlácková Andrea Sedlácková
Language: Czech
U.S Distribution: None Yet
Isa: IntraMovies
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Denmark
"Sorrow and Joy" (Sorg og glæde)
Dir: Nils Malmros
Language: Danish
U.S Distribution: None Yet
PC: Nordisk Film Production
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Dominican Republic
"Cristo Rey"
Dir: Leticia Tonos ♀
Language: Spanish
U.S Distribution: None Yet
Isa: The Little Film Company
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Ecuador
"Silence in Dreamland" (El Silencio en la Tierra de los Sueños)
Dir: Tito Molina
Language: Spanish
U.S Distribution: None Yet
PC: La Facultad
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Egypt
"Factory Girl" (فتاة المصنع )
Dir: Mohamed Khan
Language: Arabic
U.S Distribution: None Yet
PC: DayDream Art Production
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Estonia
"Tangerines" (Mandariinid)
Dir: Zaza Urushadze
Language: Estonian/Russian
U.S Distribution: None Yet
Isa: Cinemavault
Trailer
Ethiopia
"Difret"
Dir: Zeresenay Mehari
Language: Amharic
U.S Distribution: None Yet
Isa: Films Boutique Trailer
Finland
"Concrete Night" (Betoniyö)
Dir: Pirjo Honkasalo ♀
Language: Finnish
U.S Distribution: None Yet
Isa: Film Republic Trailer
France
"Saint Laurent"
Dir: Bertrand Bonello
Language: French
U.S Distribution: Sony Pictures Classics
Isa: Europacorp
Trailer
Georgia
"Corn Island" (სიმინდის კუნძული)
Dir: George Ovashvili
Language: Georgian/Abkhazian/Russian
U.S Distribution: None Yet
Isa: Arizona Productions
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Germany
"Beloved Sisters" (Die geliebten Schwestern)
Dir: Dominik Graf
Language: German /French
U.S Distribution: Music Box Films
Isa: Global Screen
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Greece
"Little England" (Μικρά Αγγλία)
Dir: Pantelis Voulgaris
Language: Greek
U.S Distribution: None Yet
PC: Black Orange
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Hong Kong
"The Golden Era" (黄金时代)
Dir: Ann Hui ♀
Language: Mandarin
U.S Distribution: None Yet
Isa: Edko Films
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Hungary
"White God" (Fehér isten)
Dir: Kornél Mundruczó
Language: Hungarian/English
U.S Distribution: Magnolia Pictures
Isa: The Match Factory
Trailer
Iceland
"Life in a Fishbowl" (Vonarstræti)
Dir: Baldvin Zophoníasson
Language: None Yet
U.S Distribution: None Yet
Isa: Films Boutique Trailer
India
"Liar's Dice" (लायर्स डाइस)
Dir: Geethu Mohandas ♀
Language: Hindi
U.S Distribution: None Yet
PC: Jar Pictures Trailer
Indonesia
"Soekarno"
Dir: Hanung Bramantyo
Language: Indonesian
U.S Distribution: None Yet
PC: Mvp Pictures
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Iran
"Today" (امروز )
Dir: Reza Mirkarimi
Language: Persian
U.S Distribution: None Yet
Isa: Dreamlab Films
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Iraq
"Mardan"
Dir: Batin Ghobadi
Language: Kurdish
U.S Distribution: None Yet
Isa: Versatile Trailer
Ireland
"The Gift" (An Bronntanas)
Dir: Tom Collins
Language: Irish/English
U.S Distribution: None Yet
PC: Rosg/De Facto Films
Trailer
Israel
"Gett: The Trial of Viviane Amsalem" (Gett: Le Procès de Viviane Amsalem)
Dir: Ronit Elkabetz ♀ & Shlomi Elkabetz
Language: Hebrew/French/Arabic
U.S Distribution: Music Box Films
Isa: Films Distribution
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Italy
"Human Capital" (Il Capitale Umano)
Dir: Paolo Virzì
Language: Italian
U.S Distribution: Film Movement
PC: Indiana Production Company
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Japan
"The Light Shines Only There" (そこのみにて光輝く)
Dir: Mipo Oh ♀
Language: Japanese
U.S Distribution: None Yet
Isa: Open Sesame
Trailer
Kosovo
"Three Windows and a Hanging" (Tri Dritare dhe një Varje)
Dir: Isa Qosja
Language: Albanian
U.S Distribution: None Yet
PC: CMb Productions
Trailer
Kyrgyzstan
"Kurmanjan Datka Queen of the Mountains" (Курманжан Датка)
Dir: Sadyk Sher-Niyaz
Language: Kirghiz
U.S Distribution: None Yet
PC: Aitysh Film
Trailer
Latvia
"Rocks in My Pockets" (Akmeņi manās kabatās)
Dir: Signe Baumane ♀
Language: Latvian
U.S Distribution: Zeitgeist Films
Isa: New Europe Film Sales
Trailer
Lebanon
"Ghadi" (غدي)
Dir: Amin Dora
Language: Arabic
U.S Distribution: None Yet
Isa: Fortissimo Films
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Lithuania
"The Gambler" (Lošėjas)
Dir: Ignas Jonynas
Language: Lithuanian
U.S Distribution: None Yet
Isa: Wide
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Luxembourg
"Never Die Young"
Dir: Pol Cruchten
Language: French
U.S Distribution: None Yet
Isa: EastWest Distribution
Trailer
MacEdonia
"To the Hilt" (До балчак)
Dir: Stole Popov
Language: Macedonian/French/English/ Turkish
U.S Distribution: None Yet
PC: Triangle Film- Skopje
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Malta
"Simshar"
Dir: Rebecca Cremona ♀
Language: Maltese
U.S Distribution: None Yet
PC: Kukumajsa Productions
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Mauritania
"Timbuktu"
Dir: Abderrahmane Sissako
Language: French/Arabic/Bambara/English/Songhay/Tamasheq
U.S Distribution: Cohen Media Group
Isa: Le Pacte
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Mexico
"Cantinflas"
Dir: Sebastian del Amo
Language: Spanish/English
U.S Distribution: Pantelion Films
Isa: 6 Sales
Trailer
Moldova
"The Unsaved" (La Limita de Jos a Cerului)
Dir: Igor Cobileanski
Language: Romanian
U.S Distribution: None Yet
Isa: Insomnia World Sales Trailer
Montenegro
"The Boys from Marx and Engels Street" (Djecaci iz ulice Marksa i Engelsa)
Dir: Nikola Vukcevic
Language: Serbian
U.S Distribution: None Yet
PC: Artikulacija Production
Trailer
Morocco
"The Red Moon" (القمر الأحمر)
Dir: Hassan Benjelloun
Language: Arabic
U.S Distribution: None Yet
PC: Bentaqerla
Trailer
Nepal
"Jhola" (झोला)
Dir: Yadav Kumar Bhattarai
Language: Nepali
U.S Distribution: None Yet
PC: Media for Culture
Trailer
The Netherlands
"Accused" (Lucia de B.)
Dir: Paula van der Oest ♀
Language: Dutch
U.S Distribution: None Yet
Isa: Fortissimo Films
Trailer
New Zealand
"The Dead Lands"
Dir: Toa Fraser
Language: Maori
U.S Distribution: None Yet
Isa: Xyz Films
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Norway
"1001 Grams" (1001 Gram)
Dir: Bent Hamer
Language: Norwegian/French/ English
U.S Distribution: Kino Lorber
Isa: Les Films du Losange
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Pakistan
"Dukhtar" (دختر، بیٹی)
Dir: Afia Nathaniel ♀
Language: Urdu
U.S Distribution: None Yet
PC: Zambeel Films
Trailer
Palestine
"Eyes of a Thief" (عيون الحراميه)
Dir: Najwa Najjar ♀
Language: Arabic
U.S Distribution: None Yet
PC: Ustura Films Trailer
Panama
"Invasion" (Invasión)
Dir: Abner Benaim
Language: Spanish
U.S Distribution: None Yet
Isa: Apertura Films Trailer
Peru
"The Gospel of the Flesh" (El Evangelio de la Carne)
Dir: Eduardo Mendoza de Echave
Language: Spanish
U.S Distribution: None Yet
PC: La Soga Producciones
Trailer
The Philippines
"Norte, the End of History" (Norte, Hangganan ng Kasaysayan)
Dir: Lav Diaz
Language: Tagalog/English
U.S Distribution: The Cinema Guild
Isa: M-Appeal World Sales
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Poland
"Ida"
Dir: Pawel Pawlikowski
Language: Polish
U.S Distribution: Music Box Films
Isa: Portobello Film Sales
Trailer
Portugal
"What Now? Remind Me" (E Agora? Lembra-me)
Dir: Joaquim Pinto
Language: Portuguese
U.S Distribution: The Cinema Guild
PC: C.R.I.M Productions
Trailer
Romania
"The Japanese Dog" (Câinele Japonez)
Dir: Tudor Cristian Jurgiu
Language: Romanian/Japanese
U.S Distribution: None Yet
Isa: M-Appeal World Sales
Trailer
Russia
"Leviathan" (Левиафан)
Dir: Andrey Zvyagintsev
Language: Russian
U.S Distribution: Sony Pictures Classics
Isa: Pyramide International
Trailer
Serbia
"See You in Montevideo" (Montevideo, vidimo se!)
Dir: Dragan Bjelogrlic
Language: Serbian/Spanish/ English
U.S Distribution: None Yet
PC: Intermedia Network
Trailer
Singapore
"Sayang Disayang"
Dir: Sanif Olek
Language: Malay/Indonesian
U.S Distribution: None Yet
PC: ReelJuice
Trailer
Slovakia
"A Step Into the Dark" (Krok do tmy)
Dir: Miloslav Luther
Language: Slovak
U.S Distribution: None Yet
PC: Trigon Production Trailer
Slovenia
"Seduce Me" (Zapelji me)
Dir: Marko Santic
Language: Slovenian
U.S Distribution: None Yet
PC: Radio-Television Slovenia
Trailer
South Africa
"Elelwani"
Dir: Ntshaveni Wa Luruli
Language: Venda
U.S Distribution: None Yet
Isa: EastWest FilmDistribution
Trailer
South Korea
"Haemoo" (해무)
Dir: Sung Bo Shim
Language: Korean
U.S Distribution: None Yet
Isa: Finecut
Trailer
Spain
"Living Is Easy with Eyes Closed" (Vivir es fácil con los ojos cerrados)
Dir: David Trueba
Language: Spanish
U.S Distribution: Outsider Pictures
Isa: 6 Sales
Trailer
Sweden
"Force Majeure" (Turist)
Dir: Ruben Östlund
Language: Swedish/English
U.S Distribution: Magnolia Pictures
Isa: Coproduction Office (Paris)
Trailer
Switzerland
"The Circle" (Der Kreis)
Dir: Stefan Haupt
Language: Swiss German/ German/ French
U.S Distribution: Wolfe Video
Isa: Wide House
Trailer
Taiwan
"Ice Poison" (冰毒)
Dir: Midi Z.
Language: Burmese/Chinese
U.S Distribution: None Yet
Isa: Flash Forward Enterteinment
Trailer
Thailand
"The Teacher's Diary" (คิดถึงวิทยา)
Dir: Nithiwat Tharathorn
Language: Thai
U.S Distribution: None Yet
Isa: Gth
Trailer
Turkey
"Winter Sleep" (Kis uykusu)
Dir: Nuri Bilge Ceylan
Language: Turkish/English
U.S Distribution: Adopt Films
Isa: Memento Films International
Trailer
Ukraine
"The Guide" (Поводир)
Dir: Oles Sanin
Language: Ukrainian/Russia/English
U.S Distribution: None Yet
PC: Pronto Film
Trailer
United Kingdom
"Little Happiness" (Uzun Yol)
Dir: Nihat Seven
Language: Turkish
U.S Distribution: None Yet
Isa: 7&7 Producers' Sales Services
Trailer
Uruguay
"Mr. Kaplan"
Dir: Álvaro Brechner
Language: Spanish
U.S Distribution: None Yet
Isa: Memento Films International
Trailer
Venezuela
"The Liberator" (Libertador)
Dir: Alberto Arvelo
Language: Spanish/English/ French
U.S Distribution: Cohen Media Group
Isa: Mundial
Trailer...
- 11/11/2014
- by Carlos Aguilar
- Sydney's Buzz
Iceland’s Oscar submission takes top prize in Lübeck; Edward Snowden gives video introduction to Citizenfour at Dok Leipzig; arson attack hits Lgbt screening in Kyiv.
Baldvin Baldvin Zophoníasson’s Life In A Fishbowl was the big winner at this year’s Nordic Film Days in Lübeck, taking home the Ndr Film Prize, worth $15,655 (€12,500)
Lead actor Thorsteinn Bachmann accepted the award in person from the five-person jury, which said it was “a touching and hopeful film about seemingly hopeless situations”.
The co-production between Iceland, Finland, Sweden and the Czech Republic is Iceland’s submission for the Best Foreign-Language Film Oscar and is being handled internationally by Films Boutique.
Special mentions were also given to Hisham Zaman’s Letter To The King (Norway) and J-p Valkeapää’s They Have Escaped (Finland) by the jury comprising actors Victoria Trauttmansdorff and Niklas Osterloh, producer Christoph Thoke, Ndr commissioning editor Diana Schulte-Kellinghaus and Finnish film-maker Kirsi Marie Liimatainen.
Festival-goers voted for...
Baldvin Baldvin Zophoníasson’s Life In A Fishbowl was the big winner at this year’s Nordic Film Days in Lübeck, taking home the Ndr Film Prize, worth $15,655 (€12,500)
Lead actor Thorsteinn Bachmann accepted the award in person from the five-person jury, which said it was “a touching and hopeful film about seemingly hopeless situations”.
The co-production between Iceland, Finland, Sweden and the Czech Republic is Iceland’s submission for the Best Foreign-Language Film Oscar and is being handled internationally by Films Boutique.
Special mentions were also given to Hisham Zaman’s Letter To The King (Norway) and J-p Valkeapää’s They Have Escaped (Finland) by the jury comprising actors Victoria Trauttmansdorff and Niklas Osterloh, producer Christoph Thoke, Ndr commissioning editor Diana Schulte-Kellinghaus and Finnish film-maker Kirsi Marie Liimatainen.
Festival-goers voted for...
- 11/3/2014
- by screen.berlin@googlemail.com (Martin Blaney)
- ScreenDaily
x
A record 83 countries have submitted films for consideration in the Foreign Language Film category for the 87th Academy Awards. Kosovo, Malta, Mauritania and Panama are first-time entrants.
The 2014 submissions are:
Afghanistan, “A Few Cubic Meters of Love,” Jamshid Mahmoudi, director;
Argentina, “Wild Tales,” Damián Szifrón, director;
Australia, “Charlie’s Country,” Rolf de Heer, director;
Austria, “The Dark Valley,” Andreas Prochaska, director;
Azerbaijan, “Nabat,” Elchin Musaoglu, director;
Bangladesh, “Glow of the Firefly,” Khalid Mahmood Mithu, director;
Belgium, “Two Days, One Night,” Jean-Pierre Dardenne and Luc Dardenne, directors;
Bolivia, “Forgotten,” Carlos Bolado, director;
Bosnia and Herzegovina, “With Mom,” Faruk Lončarevič, director;
Brazil, “The Way He Looks,” Daniel Ribeiro, director;
Bulgaria, “Bulgarian Rhapsody,” Ivan Nitchev, director;
Canada, “Mommy,” Xavier Dolan, director;
Chile, “To Kill a Man,” Alejandro Fernández Almendras, director;
China, “The Nightingale,” Philippe Muyl, director;
Colombia, “Mateo,” María Gamboa, director;
Costa Rica, “Red Princesses,” Laura Astorga Carrera, director;
Croatia, “Cowboys,” Tomislav Mršić,...
A record 83 countries have submitted films for consideration in the Foreign Language Film category for the 87th Academy Awards. Kosovo, Malta, Mauritania and Panama are first-time entrants.
The 2014 submissions are:
Afghanistan, “A Few Cubic Meters of Love,” Jamshid Mahmoudi, director;
Argentina, “Wild Tales,” Damián Szifrón, director;
Australia, “Charlie’s Country,” Rolf de Heer, director;
Austria, “The Dark Valley,” Andreas Prochaska, director;
Azerbaijan, “Nabat,” Elchin Musaoglu, director;
Bangladesh, “Glow of the Firefly,” Khalid Mahmood Mithu, director;
Belgium, “Two Days, One Night,” Jean-Pierre Dardenne and Luc Dardenne, directors;
Bolivia, “Forgotten,” Carlos Bolado, director;
Bosnia and Herzegovina, “With Mom,” Faruk Lončarevič, director;
Brazil, “The Way He Looks,” Daniel Ribeiro, director;
Bulgaria, “Bulgarian Rhapsody,” Ivan Nitchev, director;
Canada, “Mommy,” Xavier Dolan, director;
Chile, “To Kill a Man,” Alejandro Fernández Almendras, director;
China, “The Nightingale,” Philippe Muyl, director;
Colombia, “Mateo,” María Gamboa, director;
Costa Rica, “Red Princesses,” Laura Astorga Carrera, director;
Croatia, “Cowboys,” Tomislav Mršić,...
- 10/10/2014
- by Michelle McCue
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced on Thursday the final submissions for the Foreign Language Film category for the 87th annual Academy Awards. A record 83 countries have entered a film for consideration, including Kosovo, Malta, Mauritania, and Panama for the first time. Notable selections include Xavier Dolan's Canadian drama Mommy, a favorite at this year's Cannes, Sweden's Force Majeure, and the Russian retelling of the Book of Job, Leviathan, winner of the Best Screenplay award at Cannes. Nominations will be announced on Thursday, Jan. 15, ahead of the live telecast on ABC Sunday, Feb. 22, from Hollywood. Last...
- 10/9/2014
- by Jake Perlman
- EW - Inside Movies
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has released the list of submissions for the 2015 Best Foreign Language Film Academy Award. According to the Academy's press release, a record 83 countries have submitted films for consideration, including first-timers Kosovo, Malta, Mauritania, and Panama. Now, if only all those movies were made available for online viewing — or at least on DVD (outside of their respective countries). The 2015 Oscar nominations will be announced live on Thursday, January 15, at 5:30 a.m. Pt in the Academy's Samuel Goldwyn Theater in Beverly Hills. The 2015 Oscar ceremony will be held on Sunday, February 22, at the Dolby Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center in Hollywood. In the United States, the Oscarcast will be televised live by ABC; additionally, the Oscars will be televised live in more than 225 countries and territories worldwide. See below the full list of 2015 Best Foreign Language Film Oscar submissions. Afghanistan, A Few Cubic Meters of Love,...
- 10/9/2014
- by Steve Montgomery
- Alt Film Guide
The Academy has announced the complete list of 2015 Foreign Language Oscar contenders for the 2015 Oscar awards and again its a new record, topping last year's record 76 submissions, this year the list reaches 83 total submissions. Kosovo, Malta, Mauritania and Panama are first-time entrants. I've seen a few more on the list than I did last year and I actually have to assume with the buzz from those I've seen they may end up being major players. I'm particularly happy to see Xavier Dolan's Mommy in the field from Canada and it's great seeing the hilarious Wild Tales submitted by Argentina. The Russian submission of Leviathan (Leviafan) came, I think, as a bit of a surprise to everyone considering its subject matter, which could be looked at as critical of its native country. The Dardennes' Two Days, One Night has received a lot of acclaim everywhere it has played and we...
- 10/9/2014
- by Brad Brevet
- Rope of Silicon
The Academy has received a record 83 submissions for the Best Foreign-Language Film Oscar.
Last year, a record 76 countries submitted features and the eventual winner was Italian entry The Great Beauty, directed by Paolo Sorrentino.
Nine finalists will be shortlisted, which will be whittled down to five nominees that will be announced on Jan 15, 2015.
The awards ceremony will be held on Feb 22, 2015 in the Dolby Theatre, Hollywood.
The 2014 submissions are (in alphabetical order of country):
Afghanistan, A Few Cubic Meters Of Love, Jamshid Mahmoudi
Argentina, Wild Tales, Damián Szifrón
Australia, Charlie’s Country, Rolf de Heer
Austria, The Dark Valley, Andreas Prochaska
Azerbaijan, Nabat, Elchin Musaoglu
Bangladesh, Glow Of The Firefly, Khalid Mahmood Mithu
Belgium, Two Days, One Night, Jean-Pierre Dardenne and Luc Dardenne
Bolivia, Forgotten, Carlos Bolado
Bosnia and Herzegovina, With Mom, Faruk Lončarevič
Brazil, The Way He Looks, Daniel Ribeiro
Bulgaria, Bulgarian Rhapsody, Ivan Nitchev
Canada, Mommy, Xavier Dolan
Chile, To Kill A...
Last year, a record 76 countries submitted features and the eventual winner was Italian entry The Great Beauty, directed by Paolo Sorrentino.
Nine finalists will be shortlisted, which will be whittled down to five nominees that will be announced on Jan 15, 2015.
The awards ceremony will be held on Feb 22, 2015 in the Dolby Theatre, Hollywood.
The 2014 submissions are (in alphabetical order of country):
Afghanistan, A Few Cubic Meters Of Love, Jamshid Mahmoudi
Argentina, Wild Tales, Damián Szifrón
Australia, Charlie’s Country, Rolf de Heer
Austria, The Dark Valley, Andreas Prochaska
Azerbaijan, Nabat, Elchin Musaoglu
Bangladesh, Glow Of The Firefly, Khalid Mahmood Mithu
Belgium, Two Days, One Night, Jean-Pierre Dardenne and Luc Dardenne
Bolivia, Forgotten, Carlos Bolado
Bosnia and Herzegovina, With Mom, Faruk Lončarevič
Brazil, The Way He Looks, Daniel Ribeiro
Bulgaria, Bulgarian Rhapsody, Ivan Nitchev
Canada, Mommy, Xavier Dolan
Chile, To Kill A...
- 10/9/2014
- ScreenDaily
Award-winning Swiss director Stefan Haupt may have to make room in his trophy cabinet with his latest film The Circle (Der Kreis).
Switzerland has submitted the film, set in post-war Zurich during the gay rights movement, for the Best Foreign-Language Film at the 87th Academy Awards.
“It’s an honour to represent Switzerland but this is just one step on a long road,” Haupt tells Screen from his Zurich base.
Beginning in 1958, The Circle is based on the true story of young teacher Ernst Ostertag who falls in love with transvestite star Robi Rapp. Ostertag becomes a member of gay organization Der Kreis, seen at the time as the pioneer of gay emancipation, and follows its rise and fall.
The film received its world premiere in the Panorama section at this year’s Berlinale and won both the Teddy Award and the Audience Award.
“We hoped to make a successful film but also a good film on...
Switzerland has submitted the film, set in post-war Zurich during the gay rights movement, for the Best Foreign-Language Film at the 87th Academy Awards.
“It’s an honour to represent Switzerland but this is just one step on a long road,” Haupt tells Screen from his Zurich base.
Beginning in 1958, The Circle is based on the true story of young teacher Ernst Ostertag who falls in love with transvestite star Robi Rapp. Ostertag becomes a member of gay organization Der Kreis, seen at the time as the pioneer of gay emancipation, and follows its rise and fall.
The film received its world premiere in the Panorama section at this year’s Berlinale and won both the Teddy Award and the Audience Award.
“We hoped to make a successful film but also a good film on...
- 9/27/2014
- by michael.rosser@screendaily.com (Michael Rosser)
- ScreenDaily
Keeping track of the Foreign Language submissions for the Oscars each year is something I constantly forget to keep on top of, but I have just done a full update as we are now up to 56 total submissions, only 20 shy of last year's record-breaking 76 submissions with only eight days to go before the October 1 submission deadline. Notable new entries on the list include Belguim's submission of Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne's festival favorite Two Days, One Night as well as Canada submitting Xavier Dolan's Mommy, which knocked the socks of Cannes audiences and did the same to me in Toronto this year (read my review here). It should also be noted France has submitted Bertrand Bonello's Saint Laurent instead of last year's buzzy title Blue is the Warmest Color, which missed the release date cut off date last year, making it eligible for this year's Oscars, but the...
- 9/23/2014
- by Brad Brevet
- Rope of Silicon
Other titles on Toronto slate include Billy Pols’ bio-doc Zombie [pictured] about cult skateboarder Tim Zom and Johan Grimonprez’s upcoming arms trade exposé Shadow Land.
Paris-based documentary specialist Wide House has acquired a trio of new titles ahead of Toronto including Claire Simon’s Place Aux Jeunes, a portrait of France’s world famous La Fémis film school.
It is the latest documentary from French director Simon, whose Gare du Nord - going behind-the-scenes of Paris’s biggest train station - recently competed at Locarno.
Other new acquisitions include Zombie: The Resurrection of Tim Zom by Dutch filmmaker Billy Pols, about a Rotterdam-born skateboarding star with a dark childhood. The documentary, featuring footage of Zom in action, premiered at Rotterdam earlier this year.
Wide, which has a growing arts and culture line, has also acquired Juan Alvarez Neme’s Avant about celebrated Argentine dancer Julio Bocca and his work rebuilding Uruguay’s National Ballet Company.
The company...
Paris-based documentary specialist Wide House has acquired a trio of new titles ahead of Toronto including Claire Simon’s Place Aux Jeunes, a portrait of France’s world famous La Fémis film school.
It is the latest documentary from French director Simon, whose Gare du Nord - going behind-the-scenes of Paris’s biggest train station - recently competed at Locarno.
Other new acquisitions include Zombie: The Resurrection of Tim Zom by Dutch filmmaker Billy Pols, about a Rotterdam-born skateboarding star with a dark childhood. The documentary, featuring footage of Zom in action, premiered at Rotterdam earlier this year.
Wide, which has a growing arts and culture line, has also acquired Juan Alvarez Neme’s Avant about celebrated Argentine dancer Julio Bocca and his work rebuilding Uruguay’s National Ballet Company.
The company...
- 8/20/2014
- ScreenDaily
The Sundance Film Festival has entered into a partnership with Poznan’s Transatlantyk Film Festival to present a selection of its titles at the forthcoming fourth edition running from August 8-14.
The new sidebar, Sundance at Transatlantyk, will screen such films as Fishing Without Nets, The Green Prince, Watchers Of The Sky, 52 Tuesdays, Difret and A Most Wanted Man, and invite the films’ creators to meet with the audience for Q&As after the screenings.
Transatlantyk was founded in 2011 by the Oscar-wining musician and composer Jan A.P. Kaczmarek as ¨a new artistic platform aimed at building a stronger relationship between society, art and the environment through music and movies¨ as well as inspiring discussion on social issues.
Another innovation is the introduction of the new section Cinema of the Third Age targetted at maturer audiences with screenings in early afternoon slots during the weekdays. Films selected for this first edition include Philomena, Gloria and [link...
The new sidebar, Sundance at Transatlantyk, will screen such films as Fishing Without Nets, The Green Prince, Watchers Of The Sky, 52 Tuesdays, Difret and A Most Wanted Man, and invite the films’ creators to meet with the audience for Q&As after the screenings.
Transatlantyk was founded in 2011 by the Oscar-wining musician and composer Jan A.P. Kaczmarek as ¨a new artistic platform aimed at building a stronger relationship between society, art and the environment through music and movies¨ as well as inspiring discussion on social issues.
Another innovation is the introduction of the new section Cinema of the Third Age targetted at maturer audiences with screenings in early afternoon slots during the weekdays. Films selected for this first edition include Philomena, Gloria and [link...
- 7/31/2014
- by screen.berlin@googlemail.com (Martin Blaney)
- ScreenDaily
Sydney Freeland's Drunktown's Finest claimed the jury award for best dramatic feature at the 32nd Outfest Los Angeles Lgbt Film Festival, which concluded Sunday. The drama about three young Native Americans also won the audience award for first U.S. dramatic feature. The grand jury award for best feature documentary went to Stefan Haupt's The Circle, which tells the story of the pre-World War II underground gay movement. Film Review Drunktown's Finest Daniel Ribeiro's The Way He Looks, which is centered around the life of a blind teenager, topped the list of audience-award winners as best dramatic feature.
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- 7/20/2014
- by Gregg Kilday
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The 32nd edition of the Los Angeles-based Lgbt comes to a close on July 20 with a screening of Jack Plotnick’s Space Station 76 starring Patrick Wilson, Matt Bomer, Liv Tyler, Sam Pancake and Jennifer Cox.
Sydney Freeland’s Drunktown’s Finest earned the Us Dramatic Feature Film in the grand jury awards, while Stefan Haupt’s The Circle won best documentary feature.
In the audience awards, Daniel Ribeiro prevailed in the dramatic feature category with The Way He Looks and Cheryl Furjanic’s Back On Board: Greg Louganis was named best documentary.
Full list of Outfest 2014 award winners:
Audience Awards
Documentary Short
Families Are Forever, dir Vivian Kleiman
Dramatic Short
Alone With People, dir Drew Van Steenbergen
Documentary Feature
Back On Board: Greg Louganis, dir Cheryl Furjanic
Dramatic Feature
The Way He Looks, dir Daniel Ribeiro
First Us Dramatic Feature
Drunktown’s Finest, dir Sydney Freeland
Grand Jury Awards
Documentary Feature Special Recognition
Dior And I, dir Frédéric Tcheng...
Sydney Freeland’s Drunktown’s Finest earned the Us Dramatic Feature Film in the grand jury awards, while Stefan Haupt’s The Circle won best documentary feature.
In the audience awards, Daniel Ribeiro prevailed in the dramatic feature category with The Way He Looks and Cheryl Furjanic’s Back On Board: Greg Louganis was named best documentary.
Full list of Outfest 2014 award winners:
Audience Awards
Documentary Short
Families Are Forever, dir Vivian Kleiman
Dramatic Short
Alone With People, dir Drew Van Steenbergen
Documentary Feature
Back On Board: Greg Louganis, dir Cheryl Furjanic
Dramatic Feature
The Way He Looks, dir Daniel Ribeiro
First Us Dramatic Feature
Drunktown’s Finest, dir Sydney Freeland
Grand Jury Awards
Documentary Feature Special Recognition
Dior And I, dir Frédéric Tcheng...
- 7/20/2014
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
The 32nd edition of the Los Angeles-based Lgbt comes to a close on July 20 with a screening of Jack Plotnick’s Space Station 76 starring Patrick Wilson, Matt Bomer, Liv Tyler, Sam Pancake and Jennifer Cox.
Sydney Freeland’s Drunktown’s Finest earned the Us Dramatic Feature Film in the grand jury awards, while Stefan Haupt’s The Circle won best documentary feature.
In the audience awards, Daniel Ribeiro prevailed in the dramatic feature category with The Way He Looks and Cheryl Furjanic’s Back On Board: Greg Louganis was named best documentary.
Full list of Outfest 2014 award winners:
Audience Awards
Documentary Short – Families Are Forever, dir Vivian Kleiman
Dramatic Short – Alone With People, dir Drew Van Steenbergen
Documentary Feature – Back On Board: Greg Louganis, dir Cheryl Furjanic
Dramatic Feature – The Way He Looks, dir Daniel Ribeiro
First Us Dramatic Feature – Drunktown’s Finest, dir Sydney Freeland
Grand Jury Awards
Documentary Feature Special Recognition – Dior And I, dir Frédéric Tcheng...
Sydney Freeland’s Drunktown’s Finest earned the Us Dramatic Feature Film in the grand jury awards, while Stefan Haupt’s The Circle won best documentary feature.
In the audience awards, Daniel Ribeiro prevailed in the dramatic feature category with The Way He Looks and Cheryl Furjanic’s Back On Board: Greg Louganis was named best documentary.
Full list of Outfest 2014 award winners:
Audience Awards
Documentary Short – Families Are Forever, dir Vivian Kleiman
Dramatic Short – Alone With People, dir Drew Van Steenbergen
Documentary Feature – Back On Board: Greg Louganis, dir Cheryl Furjanic
Dramatic Feature – The Way He Looks, dir Daniel Ribeiro
First Us Dramatic Feature – Drunktown’s Finest, dir Sydney Freeland
Grand Jury Awards
Documentary Feature Special Recognition – Dior And I, dir Frédéric Tcheng...
- 7/20/2014
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
Sydney Freeland's narrative feature “Drunktown's Finest” and Stefan Haupt's documentary “The Circle” have won the top jury awards at the 2014 Outfest, organizers announced on Sunday, as the 11-day Los Angeles festival devoted to Lgbt stories came to an end. “Drunktown's Finest, which follows three characters in the alcohol-plagued town of Gallup, New Mexico, was saluted by the jury for showing “a dynamic world full of rich and flawed characters with unexpected journeys.” “The Circle,” about the gay organization Der Kreis in 1950s Europe, was honored for “its innovative techniques in overcoming the unique challenges of telling the little known history.
- 7/20/2014
- by Steve Pond
- The Wrap
QFest St. Louis which begins this weekend, will screen the Swiss drama The Circle at 8:30pm Sunday April 27th.
QFest St. Louis, the annual gay and Lesbian Film Festival presented by Cinema St. Louis, kicks off this Sunday, April 27th. It runs through May 1st and all films will be screened at The Tivoli Theater (6350 Delmar in The Loop, University City, Mo)
QFest uses the art of contemporary gay cinema to spotlight the lives of Lgbtq people and celebrate queer culture. The 2014 event features an eclectic slate of contemporary Lgbtq-themed feature films, documentaries, and shorts. Tickets are now on sale for all shows.
The Circle screens at 8:30pm Sunday April 27th
Based on actual events, The Circle explores the fascinating universe of one of the first gay-liberation communities. Founded in the early 1940s, the group behind the magazine Der Kreis (The Circle) was the only gay organization to...
QFest St. Louis, the annual gay and Lesbian Film Festival presented by Cinema St. Louis, kicks off this Sunday, April 27th. It runs through May 1st and all films will be screened at The Tivoli Theater (6350 Delmar in The Loop, University City, Mo)
QFest uses the art of contemporary gay cinema to spotlight the lives of Lgbtq people and celebrate queer culture. The 2014 event features an eclectic slate of contemporary Lgbtq-themed feature films, documentaries, and shorts. Tickets are now on sale for all shows.
The Circle screens at 8:30pm Sunday April 27th
Based on actual events, The Circle explores the fascinating universe of one of the first gay-liberation communities. Founded in the early 1940s, the group behind the magazine Der Kreis (The Circle) was the only gay organization to...
- 4/24/2014
- by Tom Stockman
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Georgia was the big winner at the 18th edition of the Sofia International Film Festival (Siff) which closed at the weekend with the Grand Prix for Best Film and Best Director award going to Levan Koguashvili’s second feature Blind Dates.
The melancholic comedy, which premiered at the Berlinale’s Forum last month, also received the Fipresci International Film Critics’ Prize. Handled internationally by Films Boutique, it is already booked to screen at the April festivals in Wiesbaden (goEast) and Lecce and in Odessa in July.
Presenting the Grand Prix to Koguashvili, the International Jury’s president producer Alexander Rodnyansky said that the jury’s discussion on the top prize had ¨lasted only about 10 minutes and was unanimous. This film has become the absolute winner of this festival!¨
In addition, Vladimer Katcharava of Tbilisi-based 20 Steps Production received the Sofia Meetings’ €10,000 Digimage - Lvt Postproduction Award for Miriam Khachvani’s Dede which he pitched in the Plus Minus...
The melancholic comedy, which premiered at the Berlinale’s Forum last month, also received the Fipresci International Film Critics’ Prize. Handled internationally by Films Boutique, it is already booked to screen at the April festivals in Wiesbaden (goEast) and Lecce and in Odessa in July.
Presenting the Grand Prix to Koguashvili, the International Jury’s president producer Alexander Rodnyansky said that the jury’s discussion on the top prize had ¨lasted only about 10 minutes and was unanimous. This film has become the absolute winner of this festival!¨
In addition, Vladimer Katcharava of Tbilisi-based 20 Steps Production received the Sofia Meetings’ €10,000 Digimage - Lvt Postproduction Award for Miriam Khachvani’s Dede which he pitched in the Plus Minus...
- 3/17/2014
- by screen.berlin@googlemail.com (Martin Blaney)
- ScreenDaily
Wolfe Video has acquired all North American rights to Stefan Haupt's new film "The Circle (Der Kreis)." A gay emancipation docu-drama, "The Circle" has already won Berlin's Panorama Audience nod and a Teddy Award. The film has already been picked up for distribution in a few European countries, but Maria Lynn, Wolfe Video's CEO, is excited to introduce "Circle" to American audiences. According to Lynn, "The Circle" is a "very special film and its elegant documentation of our history." Set in 1950s Zurich, the film follows a young teacher and his challenging affair with a transgendered star, Robi Rapp. As the teacher navigates the difficult cultural climate of a post-WW2 Germany, he becomes a member of the first gay rights organization Ker Kreis.
- 2/18/2014
- by Luke Slattery
- Indiewire
Asia was the big winner at the 64th Berlin Film Festival, taking home four Bears, including the Golden Bear for Best Film and Silver Bear for Best Actor (Liao Fan) for Diao Yinan’s Black Coal, Thin Ice (Bai Ri Yan Huo).Click here for full list of winners
Another of the three Chinese titles, Blind Massage, picked up the Silver Bear for Outstanding Achievement, which again went to a cinematographer, Zeng Jian. Last year had seen DoP Aziz Zhambakiyev receive the prize for his camerawork on Harmony Lessons.
At the ceremony on Saturday night, the Silver Bear for Best Actress was presented to Haru Kuroki for her performance in The Little House by veteran Japanese director Yoji Yamada.
There were a further six prizes or special mentions for films from Asia in the decisions of the Generation and independent juries (Fipresci and Netpac).
Black Coal, Thin Ice is the fourth Chinese film to win the Golden...
Another of the three Chinese titles, Blind Massage, picked up the Silver Bear for Outstanding Achievement, which again went to a cinematographer, Zeng Jian. Last year had seen DoP Aziz Zhambakiyev receive the prize for his camerawork on Harmony Lessons.
At the ceremony on Saturday night, the Silver Bear for Best Actress was presented to Haru Kuroki for her performance in The Little House by veteran Japanese director Yoji Yamada.
There were a further six prizes or special mentions for films from Asia in the decisions of the Generation and independent juries (Fipresci and Netpac).
Black Coal, Thin Ice is the fourth Chinese film to win the Golden...
- 2/16/2014
- by screen.berlin@googlemail.com (Martin Blaney)
- ScreenDaily
A few hours ago over at the Berlin Film Festival, the jury began giving out their annual awards for the fest. All of the prizes have now been given out, so I wanted to point them out to you all quickly. The top prize of the Golden Bear is the beg one of course, but sometimes the Silver Bear winners can be even more interesting. Especially if you already have an eye towards next year’s Oscar hopefuls, that’s certainly the case here. While the Chinese film noir Black Coal, Thin Ice won the Golden Bear, taking the Silver Bear Grand Jury Prix was Wes Anderson’s much anticipated The Grand Budapest Hotel. The other really notable prize was the Silver Bear for Best Director (basically their Best Director prize and arguably the second biggest award at the fest), which went to Richard Linklater for his ambitious work on the passion project Boyhood.
- 2/15/2014
- by Joey Magidson
- Hollywoodnews.com
Angelina Jolie exec produced film wins at Berlin Film Festival.Scroll down for full list of winners
Ethiopian film Difret, directed by Zeresenay Berhane Mehari, has won the best fiction film prize in the 16th Panorama Audience Awards, in which Swiss feature The Circle (Der Kreis), Stefan Haupt, has also been named best documentary.
Voted for by the public, the award is presented by the Berlinale’s Panorama section in collaboration with radioeins of Berlin-Brandenburg’s public radio and television station rbb, and tip Berlin, Berlin’s city magazine.
The official award ceremony will be held on Berlinale Kinotag - a day of screenings for the public - on Sunday (Feb 16).
Difret, executive produced by Hollywood actress Angelina Jolie, centres on a young teenage girl who has to defend herself in court after killing her would-be husband during an attempt to abduct her into marriage.
The film, which won the World Cinema Dramatic Audience Award at the...
Ethiopian film Difret, directed by Zeresenay Berhane Mehari, has won the best fiction film prize in the 16th Panorama Audience Awards, in which Swiss feature The Circle (Der Kreis), Stefan Haupt, has also been named best documentary.
Voted for by the public, the award is presented by the Berlinale’s Panorama section in collaboration with radioeins of Berlin-Brandenburg’s public radio and television station rbb, and tip Berlin, Berlin’s city magazine.
The official award ceremony will be held on Berlinale Kinotag - a day of screenings for the public - on Sunday (Feb 16).
Difret, executive produced by Hollywood actress Angelina Jolie, centres on a young teenage girl who has to defend herself in court after killing her would-be husband during an attempt to abduct her into marriage.
The film, which won the World Cinema Dramatic Audience Award at the...
- 2/15/2014
- by michael.rosser@screendaily.com (Michael Rosser)
- ScreenDaily
Exclusive: Panorama Dokumente entry [pictured] among sellers for French doc specialists.
French doc specialist Wide House has sold all Us and Canadian rights to Panorama Dokumente entry The Circle (Der Kreis) to Wolfe Video.
The 1950s-set doc-drama, directed by Stefan Haupt, follows a young teacher who falls for a transvestite star of a renowned underground club run by network Der Kreis (The Circle), the pioneering organisation for gay emancipation in post-war Europe.
Wolfe Video CEO Maria Lynn said: “We are so honoured to be a part of this very special film and its elegant documentation of our history!”
The busy Wide House yesterday inked an additional deal on Kenneth Elvebakk’s ballet doc Ballet Boys for Japan (Uplink) after closing France (Zed), UK (Matchbox) and Germany (Cmv Laservision) earlier in the market.
The Great Museum was picked up by Jour2Fete for France, Doma Inc for Japan and Matchbox in the UK.
Snail doc Slow...
French doc specialist Wide House has sold all Us and Canadian rights to Panorama Dokumente entry The Circle (Der Kreis) to Wolfe Video.
The 1950s-set doc-drama, directed by Stefan Haupt, follows a young teacher who falls for a transvestite star of a renowned underground club run by network Der Kreis (The Circle), the pioneering organisation for gay emancipation in post-war Europe.
Wolfe Video CEO Maria Lynn said: “We are so honoured to be a part of this very special film and its elegant documentation of our history!”
The busy Wide House yesterday inked an additional deal on Kenneth Elvebakk’s ballet doc Ballet Boys for Japan (Uplink) after closing France (Zed), UK (Matchbox) and Germany (Cmv Laservision) earlier in the market.
The Great Museum was picked up by Jour2Fete for France, Doma Inc for Japan and Matchbox in the UK.
Snail doc Slow...
- 2/12/2014
- by andreas.wiseman@screendaily.com (Andreas Wiseman)
- ScreenDaily
Arri Worldwide secures North American deal ahead of the Efm, where it will showcase two market premieres.
Arri Worldsales has sealed a North American deal ahead of this week’s European Film Market (Efm) with Vertical Entertainment for Alain Gsponer’s family film The Little Ghost.
Santa Monica-based Vertical acquired all Us and Canadian rights for the adaptation of Otfried Preussler’s internationally bestselling children’s classic, which has been sold to 24 countries worldwide to date.
Vertical Entertainment, which was launched last year by industry veterans Rich Goldberg and Mitch Budin, has previously released such family films as the animated feature Freedom Force and the Russian 3D animated film The Snow Queen. produced by Timur Bekmambetov.
Market premieres
Frederik Steiner’s award-winning Zurich (Und Morgen Mittag Bin Ich Tot) is one of two market premieres being presented by Arri Worldsales at the Efm in Berlin this week.
The film about a young woman suffering from cystic fibrosis...
Arri Worldsales has sealed a North American deal ahead of this week’s European Film Market (Efm) with Vertical Entertainment for Alain Gsponer’s family film The Little Ghost.
Santa Monica-based Vertical acquired all Us and Canadian rights for the adaptation of Otfried Preussler’s internationally bestselling children’s classic, which has been sold to 24 countries worldwide to date.
Vertical Entertainment, which was launched last year by industry veterans Rich Goldberg and Mitch Budin, has previously released such family films as the animated feature Freedom Force and the Russian 3D animated film The Snow Queen. produced by Timur Bekmambetov.
Market premieres
Frederik Steiner’s award-winning Zurich (Und Morgen Mittag Bin Ich Tot) is one of two market premieres being presented by Arri Worldsales at the Efm in Berlin this week.
The film about a young woman suffering from cystic fibrosis...
- 2/3/2014
- by screen.berlin@googlemail.com (Martin Blaney)
- ScreenDaily
Arri Worldwide secures North American deal ahead of the Efm, where it will showcase two market premieres.
Arri Worldsales has sealed a North American deal ahead of this week’s European Film Market (Efm) with Vertical Entertainment for Alain Gsponer’s family film The Little Ghost.
Santa Monica-based Vertical acquired all Us and Canadian rights for the adaptation of Otfried Preussler’s internationally bestselling children’s classic, which has been sold to 24 countries worldwide to date.
Vertical Entertainment, launched last year by industry veterans Rich Goldberg and Mitch Budin, had previously acquired Tim Fehlbaum’s apocalyptic thriller Hell from Arri.
Market premieres
Frederik Steiner’s award-winning Zurich (Und Morgen Mittag Bin Ich Tot) is one of two market premieres being presented by Arri Worldsales at the Efm in Berlin this week.
The film about a young woman suffering from cystic fibrosis who travels to Switzerland to end her life received the prize in the Newcomer category at this...
Arri Worldsales has sealed a North American deal ahead of this week’s European Film Market (Efm) with Vertical Entertainment for Alain Gsponer’s family film The Little Ghost.
Santa Monica-based Vertical acquired all Us and Canadian rights for the adaptation of Otfried Preussler’s internationally bestselling children’s classic, which has been sold to 24 countries worldwide to date.
Vertical Entertainment, launched last year by industry veterans Rich Goldberg and Mitch Budin, had previously acquired Tim Fehlbaum’s apocalyptic thriller Hell from Arri.
Market premieres
Frederik Steiner’s award-winning Zurich (Und Morgen Mittag Bin Ich Tot) is one of two market premieres being presented by Arri Worldsales at the Efm in Berlin this week.
The film about a young woman suffering from cystic fibrosis who travels to Switzerland to end her life received the prize in the Newcomer category at this...
- 2/3/2014
- by screen.berlin@googlemail.com (Martin Blaney)
- ScreenDaily
Selection opens with a documentary about what motivates Somali pirates and includes the European premiere of 20,000 Days on Earth, starring Nick Cave, and 10 world premieres.Scroll down for full list
The Berlin International Film Festival (Feb 6-16) has unveiled the 16 films that will make up the documentary section of its Panorama strand.
This year’s Panorama Dokumente comprises 16 films, including ten world premieres, and will open on Feb 7 with the world premiere of Dutch co-production The Last Hijack by Tommy Pallotta and Femke Wolting. The film depicts what motivates piracy in Somalia.
The topic of Africa, which is also reflected in the Ethiopian fictional feature Difret, is also central to Swedish filmmaker Göran Hugo Olsson in Concerning Violence. This commentary on Africa’s decolonisation, cites Frantz Fanon’s “The Wretched of the Earth” - and Us singer Lauryn Hill lends these texts her voice.
Olsson previously presented The Black Power Mixtape 1967-1975 about the Afro-American civil rights...
The Berlin International Film Festival (Feb 6-16) has unveiled the 16 films that will make up the documentary section of its Panorama strand.
This year’s Panorama Dokumente comprises 16 films, including ten world premieres, and will open on Feb 7 with the world premiere of Dutch co-production The Last Hijack by Tommy Pallotta and Femke Wolting. The film depicts what motivates piracy in Somalia.
The topic of Africa, which is also reflected in the Ethiopian fictional feature Difret, is also central to Swedish filmmaker Göran Hugo Olsson in Concerning Violence. This commentary on Africa’s decolonisation, cites Frantz Fanon’s “The Wretched of the Earth” - and Us singer Lauryn Hill lends these texts her voice.
Olsson previously presented The Black Power Mixtape 1967-1975 about the Afro-American civil rights...
- 1/22/2014
- by michael.rosser@screendaily.com (Michael Rosser)
- ScreenDaily
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