When Countries Choose Wrongly
Anatomy of a Fall (2023) is one of the most acclaimed and nominated films at the 96th Academy Awards, but it comes as a surprise that it is not in contention for the International Film Oscar.
The reason for this is that, in order to compete in that category, the country of origin of the film has to submit it for consideration, and each country can submit only one film.
If Anatomy of a Fall (2023) had been submitted, it would be the favorite to win the award; instead, the field is open for other contenders.
It is not the first time that a foreign country submits a film instead of another that ends up being better liked at the Oscars.
In which of these cases do you think the submitting country made the biggest mistake?
After voting, share your opinion.
Poll by Pencho15
The reason for this is that, in order to compete in that category, the country of origin of the film has to submit it for consideration, and each country can submit only one film.
If Anatomy of a Fall (2023) had been submitted, it would be the favorite to win the award; instead, the field is open for other contenders.
It is not the first time that a foreign country submits a film instead of another that ends up being better liked at the Oscars.
In which of these cases do you think the submitting country made the biggest mistake?
After voting, share your opinion.
Poll by Pencho15
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- DirectorJustine TrietStarsSandra HüllerSwann ArlaudMilo Machado-GranerA woman is suspected of murder after her husband's death; their half-blind son faces a moral dilemma as the main witness.France submitted The Taste of Things (2023) instead of Cannes Award winner Anatomy of a Fall (2023).
Anatomy of a Fall went on to get five nominations, including Best Picture and Best Director, The Taste of Things failed to be nominated. - DirectorOlivier DahanStarsMarion CotillardSylvie TestudPascal GreggoryBiopic of the iconic French singer Édith Piaf. Raised by her grandmother in a brothel, she was discovered while singing on a street corner at the age of 19. Despite her success, Piaf's life was filled with tragedy.France submitted Persepolis (2007) instead of La Vie En Rose (2007).
Although Persepolis got nominated for Best Animated Film it didn't make it into the Foreign Language Film category. La Vie En Rose went on to win Best Actress and Best Makeup. - DirectorPedro AlmodóvarStarsRosario FloresJavier CámaraDarío GrandinettiTwo men share an odd friendship while they care for two women who are both in deep comas.Spain submitted Mondays in the Sun (2002) instead of Talk to Her (2002).
Talk to Her went on to be nominated for Best Director and won Original Screenplay, while Mondays in the Sun failed to be nominated. - DirectorMichael RadfordMassimo TroisiStarsMassimo TroisiPhilippe NoiretMaria Grazia CucinottaA simple Italian postman learns to love poetry while delivering mail to a famous poet, and then uses this to woo local beauty Beatrice.Italy submitted The Star Maker (1995) instead of The Postman (1994).
While The Star Maker got a Foreign Language film nomination, The Postman was much more successful getting nominations for Best Picture, Director, Actor, Adapted Screenplay and winning Original Dramatic Score - DirectorIngmar BergmanStarsHarriet AnderssonLiv UllmannKari SylwanWhen a woman dying of cancer in early twentieth-century Sweden is visited by her two sisters, long-repressed feelings between the siblings rise to the surface.Sweden submitted Scenes from a Marriage (1974) instead of Cries & Whispers (1972).
Scenes of a Marriage failed to be nominated, while Cries and Whispers got nominated for Best Picture, Director, Screenplay, Costume Design and won Best Cinematography. - DirectorHayao MiyazakiStarsDaveigh ChaseSuzanne PleshetteMiyu IrinoDuring her family's move to the suburbs, a sullen 10-year-old girl wanders into a world ruled by gods, witches and spirits, and where humans are changed into beasts.Japan submitted Out (2002) instead of Spirited Away (2001).
Out failed to be nominated while Spirited Away went on to win Best Animated Film. - DirectorFederico FelliniStarsMarcello MastroianniAnita EkbergAnouk AiméeA series of stories following a week in the life of a philandering tabloid journalist living in Rome.Italy submitted La Notte (1961) instead of La Dolce Vita (1960).
The Night failed to get a nomination, while La Dolce Vita was nominated for Best Director, Writing, Art Direction and won Costume Design. - DirectorPietro GermiStarsMarcello MastroianniDaniela RoccaStefania SandrelliA married Sicilian baron falls in love with his cousin and vows to wed her, but with divorce illegal he must concoct a crime of passion to do away with his wife.Italy submitted The Four Days of Naples (1962) instead of Divorce Italian Style (1961).
While The Four Days of Naples got a Foreign Language nomination, Divorce Italian Style was more successful getting nominations for Best Director, Best Actor and winning Best Writing. - DirectorLasse HallströmStarsAnton GlanzeliusTomas von BrömssenAnki LidénIn the late '50s, young Ingemar learns a lot about life and himself when he is sent away from his sick mother to live with his aunt and uncle in a town full of eccentrics.Sweden submitted Hip hip hurra! (1987) instead of My Life as a Dog (1985).
Hip hip hurra! failed to be nominated, while My Life as a Dog got nominations for Best Director and Best Adapted Screenplay. - DirectorAkira KurosawaStarsTatsuya NakadaiAkira TeraoJinpachi NezuIn Medieval Japan, an elderly warlord retires, handing over his empire to his three sons. However, he vastly underestimates how the new-found power will corrupt them and cause them to turn on each other...and him.Japan submitted Hana ichimonme (1985) instead of Ran (1985).
Gray Sunset failed to get a nomination, while Ran competed in Best Director, Cinematography, Art Direction and won Costume Design. - DirectorWolfgang PetersenStarsJürgen ProchnowHerbert GrönemeyerKlaus WennemannA German U-boat stalks the frigid waters of the North Atlantic as its young crew experience the sheer terror and claustrophobic life of a submariner in World War II.Germany submitted Fitzcarraldo (1982) instead of Das Boot (1981).
Fitzcarraldo failed to be nominated, while Das Boot got 6 nominations including Best Director, Cinematography, Adapted Screenplay, Editing, Sound and Sound Effects. - DirectorÉdouard MolinaroStarsUgo TognazziMichel SerraultClaire MaurierThe manager of a Saint-Tropez nightclub featuring drag entertainment, and his star attraction, are a gay couple. Madness ensues when his straight son brings home a fiancée and her ultra-conservative parents to meet them.France submitted A Simple Story (1978) instead of La Cage aux Folles (1978).
While A Simple Story got a nomination, La Cage aux Folles did better getting three nominations for Best Director, Adapted Screenplay and Costume Design. - DirectorS.S. RajamouliStarsN.T. Rama Rao Jr.Ram CharanAjay DevgnA fearless warrior on a perilous mission comes face to face with a steely cop serving British forces in this epic saga set in pre-independent India.India submitted Last Film Show (2021) instead of RRR (2022).
Last Picture Show failed to be nominated, while RRR won for Best Original Song. - DirectorJoshua MarstonStarsCatalina Sandino MorenoGuilied LopezOrlando TobónA pregnant Colombian teenager becomes a drug mule to make some desperately-needed money for her family.Colombia submitted El Rey (2004) instead of Maria Full of Grace (2004).
The King failed to be nominated, while Maria Full of Grace got a Best Actress nomination. - DirectorPedro AlmodóvarStarsPenélope CruzMilena SmitIsrael ElejaldeThe story of two mothers who bond in unexpected way after giving birth the same day.Spain submitted The Good Boss (2021) instead of Parallel Mothers (2021).
The Good Boss failed to be nominated, while Parallel Mothers got Best Actress and Best Original Score nominations. - DirectorGiuseppe TornatoreStarsMonica BellucciGiuseppe SulfaroLuciano FedericoAmidst the war climate, a teenage boy discovering himself becomes love-stricken by Malèna, a sensual woman living in a small, narrow-minded Italian town.Italy submitted One Hundred Steps (2000) instead of Malena (2000).
The Hundred Steps failed to be nominated while Malena got Best Cinematography and Best Original Score nominations. - DirectorPablo LarraínStarsJaime VadellGloria MünchmeyerAlfredo CastroAfter living 250 years in this world, Augusto Pinochet, who is not dead but an aged vampire, decides to die once and for all.Chile submitted The Settlers (2023) instead of El Conde (2023).
The Settlers failed to get a nomination, while The Count got a Best Cinematography nomination. - DirectorAlfonso CuarónStarsMaribel VerdúGael García BernalDaniel Giménez CachoIn Mexico, two teenage boys and an older woman embark on a road trip and learn a thing or two about life and each other.Mexico submitted Violet Perfume: Nobody Hears You (2001) instead of And Your Mother Too (2001).
Violet Perfume failed to be nominated, while And Your Mother Too got an Original Screenplay nomination. - DirectorWalter SallesStarsGael García BernalRodrigo de la SernaMía MaestroErnesto Guevara de la Serna, popularly known as Che, along with his friend Alberto Granado, decides to take a road trip across South America. His experiences on the journey transform him.Neither Argentina, nor Brazil or Chile submitted The Motorcycle Diaries (2004) choosing Lost Embrace (2004), Olga (2004) and Machuca (2004) instead.
None of the three countries manages a nomination, while The Motorcycle Diaries got an Adapted Screenplay nomination and an Oscar for Best Original Song.