American cinema, despite its great fame and wide spread, is not the only one in the world. It was accompanied by its European counterpart from the beginning. Over the years, Asian, Latin and African cinema entered the line. The major awards that celebrate Hollywood productions have realized the importance of monitoring the most prominent non-English-speaking international films.
The first Oscar in the category of non-English speaking films was presented in 1947, and between that year and 1955 the Academy presented special/honorary awards for the best foreign language films however these awards were not handed out on a regular basis (no award was awarded in 1953).
Recently, the situation has changed, and this category, which has been renamed "Best International Film", is sometimes the most important after the Best Film award, and has become a true benchmark for films of the year.
Here we take a look at the 2023 Best International Film Oscar nominees.
All Quiet on the Western Front
At the top of this list is one of the most powerful films this year at the Oscars, with 9 different nominations, including Best Picture, Best International Film, and Best Adapted Screenplay.
The movie "All Quiet on the Western Front" (All Quiet on the Western Front) is based on the novel of the same name by Erich Maria Remarque, which was banned from publication in Nazi Germany because of its anti-war tone, and was previously turned into an American film in 1930 that won Oscars for best picture and best exit.
The events of the film take place in the First World War, and in it we learn the story of a group of young soldiers who are enthusiastic about the war after encouraging society and their teachers and accusing those who are behind it of being anti-national. .
Congratulations to the team behind Edward Berger's ALL QUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT on receiving 9 Academy Award nominations, including BEST PICTURE.
đź‘Ź #Oscars2023 pic.twitter.com/a4XbfvzM09
— All Quiet On The Western Front (@allquietmovie) January 24, 2023
Argentina 1985
Argentina, 1985 is a historical drama based on true events, directed by Santiago Mitri.
The film was shown for the first time in the official competition of the Venice Film Festival, where it won the Fibresi Award, as well as the Golden Globe Award for Best Foreign Film.
The protagonist of the film is the Attorney General of Argentina in the eighties, who is forced to go through a trial that puts his life and his family in danger.
After the rule of democracy, a group of military leaders who carried out and supervised crimes of torture and kidnapping against civilians were arrested.
Public pressure to bring them to justice.
But behind these leaders are people who are still willing to sacrifice their lives and the lives of anyone for their survival outside the walls.
The film is a trial film, and most of its events take place through testimonies of civilians who have undergone torture and pleadings, with a second line highlighting the details of the Attorney General’s office’s preparations with its young assistants, who were underestimated by everyone, to eliminate them.
Argentina, 1985 (2022) pic.twitter.com/OwK527QExN
- Films to Films 📽🎬 (@FilmstoFilms_) January 27, 2023
close
From Belgium, the film "Close" captivated audiences with its delicacy and the ingenuity of its child actors, directed by Lukas Dhont.
It was shown for the first time at the Cannes International Film Festival, where it won the Grand Prize, and then in a number of festivals, including the Cairo International Film Festival.
The film revolves around two children who have been friends over the years, who move together to middle school, in which their new classmates start bullying them because of this close friendship, so Leo is forced to succumb to peer pressure and distance himself from Remy, who does not accept it easily, but pushes it This leads to a decision to commit suicide as a result of his unexpected loneliness, which will affect little Leo's outlook on life.
The story of “Karib” is very simple, but it surprises the viewer with its violent developments, especially with the wonderful acting of the two children in the lead role, who foretell upcoming cinema heroes.
just finished watching close (2022) and i couldn't be more devastated pic.twitter.com/dZAWfI2prl
— maria (@anyascinema) January 26, 2023
Ew
Still challenging itself with back-to-back awards and nominations, EO is a Polish work directed by Jerzy Skolimowski, who was inspired by Robert Bresson's Au Hasard Balthazar. It premiered at the Cannes Film Festival, where it won Jury Prize, Cairo International Film Festival, and won the Arab Critics Jury Award for Best European Film.
The film revolves around a little donkey who was born in the Polish circus, but his owner had to abandon him, so he remained alone, roaming Europe from one country to another, revealing the reality of society with his wide and silent eyes.
"Random Balthazar" is one of the most important films of all time, and if "Io" wins the Oscar this year, it will join him in a very short list of great films starring a silent donkey.
EO (2022)
Dir.
by Jerzy Skolimowski
Inspired by “Au Hasard Balthazar” (Robert Bresson, 1966), EO is the dramatic story about a donkey and his little journey.
pic.twitter.com/MlOH41hYqp
— dr.
giggles (@chaotic_trixter) January 22, 2023
The quiet girl
The Quiet Girl, an Irish coming-of-age film written and directed by Colm Pered, premiered at the Berlin Film Festival and won the Crystal Bear.
The jury said, "It is a film with a delicate story full of details about childhood, grief, fatherhood and the rebuilding of a family. It combines a very powerful narration with stunning cinematography, in which sound and images create a unique atmosphere."
Set in 1981, the film follows the story of a 9-year-old girl, who spends her summer on a farm with her distant relatives in the countryside.
So onĂłir álainn do #AnCailĂnCiĂşin This is a real honor!
🏆 #TheQuietGirl has won Best Foreign Film at this year's @AARP Movies for Grownups Awards!
Thank you to everyone who voted for our film!
🙏 pic.twitter.com/WUWmbKhC5g
— An CailĂn CiĂşin / The Quiet Girl (@quietgirlfilm) January 29, 2023
This year's Oscars seem to focus on different stories starring animals such as "Eyo" or children such as "Club" and "The Quiet Girl", but which one will reach the final award?
Most likely it will be "All Quiet on the Western Front," which garnered an unprecedented number of Oscar nominations for a German film.
This list may not contain super cool and iconic films such as "Parasite" or "Drive My Car" winners in 2021 and 2022, but the choices remain very special, and the winner cannot be decided until next March 12 at the Oscars.