Anneta Konstantinides
Before I dive into anything, I just want to jump on the current Golden Globe lovefest bandwagon for its choice of Amy Poehler and Tina Fey as the show’s upcoming hosts.
You go, Glen Coco.
The choice is an inspired break from Ricky Gervais, who’s done the show for three years in a row, although more credit probably goes to the fact that NBC is itching to promote Poehler’s “Parks and Recreation” and Fey’s “30 Rock.” Both shows, which run on the network’s Thursday night comedy block, have been struggling with ratings.
But, hey, you already had to sit through a column about award hosts last week, and I like to keep things fresh. Before the Poehler and Fey reveal on Monday afternoon, the news that had everyone talking in awards land was the reveal of the foreign language Oscar entries, which came in at a record 71 submissions (beating the previous of 67).
Okay, yes, I can already see you thinking about turning the page to Sports. Foreign films don’t exactly get people pumped, unless you’re a New York bohemian who smokes Spirits and lives in Greenwich.
But the truth is, having 71 submissions, especially during a time when it seems every other country is having some kind of economic meltdown, is awesome. It means people are somehow still finding ways not only to make movies, but to make movies that they think are worthy enough for an Academy Award.
Included on the lists are countries that have never entered a submission before (Kenya, for David “Tosh” Gitonga’s “Nairobi Half Life”), and countries that have sat out of the race for decades, such as Cambodia, whose film “Lost Loves” by Chhay Bora is its first entry in 18 years.
What might be even more comforting to note is that the big picture of foreign film in 2012 encompasses much more than just the 71 submissions. France’s submission, “The Intouchables,” was the obvious choice, seeing as how it’s become the country’s second highest-grossing film of all time and made more than $390 million in the box office worldwide. But it’s hardly the only French film making waves ““ the Marion Cotillard-starring “Rust and Bone” and Leos Carax-directed “Holy Motors” both earned great reviews at Cannes.
If I had to place money on the race right now, I would easily bet “The Intouchables” will already be taking one of the five nominee spots. Along with the major money-making, the film has the power of the Weinstein brothers behind it, major players come awards season (but that’s another column).
But if I were to tap into my true Oscar intuition, my early bet is on Austria’s “Amour.” With many predicting the film will nab not only a foreign picture nominee, but possibly other Academy accolades as well, it seems to have another spot on lock.
France used to dominate the Foreign Language Film race, but in recent years the Academy has leaned toward thrillers like “The Secret in their Eyes” (Argentina) and “In a Better World” (Denmark), not to mention last year’s stirring “A Separation” from Iran. Even as the Academy seems to favor our lighthearted fare (“The King’s Speech” and “The Artist”), it seems that when it comes time to look at foreign films they like their material dark and sad.
The other three nominee spots are up in the air, but I’m holding out hope that someone new comes to the party that’s almost always attended by France, Spain and Germany.
Which foreign film are you hoping to see become a new Academy Award nominee? Email Konstantinides at akonstantinides@media.ucla.edu .