There has been mild disagreement this year over what qualifications a film must meet to qualify for best international or foreign language film at the Academy Awards. Category that includes Spain Snow Societye Juan Antonio Bayona. Here’s what happened to the double nomination for a French feature film Anatomy of a fall, Justine Trieu, is a true rarity. The film was recognized in the categories for best screenplay and direction. This is after France failed to nominate the film as a candidate for Best Foreign Language Film.
The feature film stars German actress Sandra Haller and features English sentences, but 60% of the dialogue is written in French. Which makes it suitable for this category. However, in a decision that seems to have more political than cultural components, the French Oscar committee sent the film Stew from director Trần Anh Hong about race. However, the work was not selected. Oddly enough, it was then and independently when Anatomy of a fallentered the list of nominees for the best film of the year in the Oscar selection.
The confusion started a debate about what makes a film eligible or ineligible for such a nomination. A debate that extends to what essential requirements a job should meet. Moreover, at a time when financing, production equipment and especially the elements surrounding the work are not always of the same nationality. What makes a sector a process that begins in the country of origin of a product and ends with an analysis of its reasoning. This is not always easy and sometimes causes long debates on this topic.
Requirements of a difficult Oscar nomination
Under the current rules of the Hollywood Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, the nomination has a primary purpose. This will allow international titles—or those filmed outside the U.S. and using resources outside the industry—to share the spotlight with domestic titles at the Oscars.
The criterion also suggests that languages other than English and ethnic groups other than Western are encouraged through awards. Thus, the criteria are intended to ensure that controversial works have greater prominence based on these points. This implies three specific elements that are taken into account when selecting possible candidates.
Language requirement
In order for a film to qualify for the Oscar for Best International Film, at least half of the plot dialogue must be in a language other than English. The only exception is if it is the official language of the country. But in any other case, it is required that the majority of parliaments be developed in the official language of the country of origin sending the film to competition.
Manufacturing Requirements
Another important requirement is that the majority of the production be financed by non-North American companies, companies or funds. It is also insisted – or at least encouraged – that most of the money comes from companies headquartered outside the US with ties to the film’s country of origin.
Release time in cinemas
Films wishing to participate in the Oscars must be shown in at least one public cinema in the country of origin in which they belong. And do this for seven days in a row, excluding festivals and private screenings. This makes it clear that the films are part of the cinematic offering and are not made directly for award nominations.
The dilemma of a film that represents a country
In 2020, there were changes in the category: “Best International Feature Film”. But there have been no changes to the processes that allow various committees and organizations to submit films for nomination opportunities.
The basic rule is that an organization designated by the government or state cultural associations will be responsible for selecting the work that will represent the country. Private organizations or foundations with grants owned by organizations acting on their own behalf are not eligible to undertake this process. The category accepts both feature films, documentaries and animated films. However, only one film per country can be nominated.
Once the film has been selected by the appropriate committee, group or organization, it will be submitted for official selection. The Academy will select ten films and take them to the Phase I International Feature Film Committee, which will in turn select seven representatives from that group. Finally, the International Feature Film Awards executive committee will select the remaining three films on the shortlist.
Source: Hiper Textual
