Category:
Best Foreign Language Film
[note: Now is the time to lobby the Academy for a change in the name of this award. All over the USA, Foreign Language departments in colleges and high schools have been working for some time to change their names to Department of International Languages or World Languages. Unfortunately, the term 'foreign' in USA English has developed a highly pejorative connotative meaning. Therefore, please write to campaign a change in name to International Language Film or World Language Film of Non-English Language Film. Anything but 'foreign'. ]
Nominees:
After the Wedding from Denmark (coming soon?)
comment: Haven't seen it. Another shameful thing. If this film is that good, why hasn't it been nationally available?
Days of Glory (Indigènes) from Algeria (coming soon?)
comment: Haven't seen it. Another shameful thing. If this film is that good, why hasn't it been nationally available?
The Lives of Others from Germany (film review--maybe coming soon?)
comment: Haven't seen it. Another shameful thing. If this film is that good, why hasn't it been nationally available?
Pan's Labyrinth from Mexico (film review)
comment: This film is entirely worthy of the nomination. However, it does begin to prove puzzling as to what determines which films fit in this category and which may fit into the Best Motion Picture category or can a film fit in both? Is this category for best non-English language film in other words? Was it created like the Best Animated film category to keep films not starring USA actors out of the category of Best Motion Picture? Because Pan's Labyrinth was certainly worthy of a Best Motion Picture nomination, while Iwo Jima might better have been kept in this category.
Water from Canada (film review)
comment: No doubt an amazing film that will stay with and haunt me forever. It's impossible to see where it stacks up against the other three unseen nominees.
What's missing? [This is not a totally fair analysis because I've not been able to see three of the five nominess. I can say, however, that I have seen a ton of international language films this year that I don't see on the list and can wonder why.]
- Jet Li's Fearless--This was a spectacular Mandarin language film, and my highest rated other than Iwo Jima for non-English language films.
- Volver--If you don't have room in your Best Motion Picture list, put it here.
- Curse of the Golden Flower--A goregeous film, with a stirring plot.
- House of Sand--some stunning performances in an overlooked film.
- Riding Alone for Thousands of Miles--amazing Mandarin and Japanes language film.
If you enjoyed this comprehensive analysis of the nominees for the 79th Annual Academy Awards® , please click here -->
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