The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences have released their 15-strong Oscar documentary shortlist and as usual there are surprises about which titles have made it and which didn’t. Culled from 89 official submissions the films vying for a final five slot are:
“The Beaches of Agnes” directed by Agnes Varda
“The Cove” directed by Louie Psihoyos
“Every Little Step” directed by James Stern and Adam Del Deo
“Food, Inc.” directed by Robert Kenner
“Valentino: The Last Emperor” directed by Matt Tyrnauer
“Burma VJ” directed by Anders Ostergaard
“Facing Ali” directed by Pete McCormack
“Garbage Dreams” directed by Mai Iskander
“Living in Emergency: Stories of Doctors Without Borders” directed by Mark Hopkins
“The Most Dangerous Man in America: Daniel Ellsberg and the Pentagon Papers” directed by Judith Ehrlich and Rick Goldsmith
“Mugabe and the White African” directed by Andrew Thompson and Lucy Bailey
“Sergio” directed by Greg Barker
“Soundtrack for a Revolution” directed by Bill Guttentag and Dan Sturman
“Under Our Skin” directed by Andy Abrahams Wilson
“Which Way Home” directed by Rebecca Cammisa
As usual, the Academy voters are not in sync with audience or critical response as two of the year’s most celebrated docs, James Toback’s moving and insightful “Tyson” and Sacha Gervasi’s incredible rock ‘n roll dream “Anvil! The Story of Anvil” are nowhere to be seen and that’s really a crying shame. But, we will give Academy members kudos for not reflexively giving Michael Moore’s underwhelming “Capitalism: A Love Story” a nod.
Guessing a final five, even with fifteen selections, is a pretty easy bet. “The Cove” is a lock, and an easy favorite to win the whole thing. The film has a big advocate in Ben Stiller (who apparently forced the hand of the Tokyo Film Festival into screening the film, because, you know, he’s…. a huge fan of dolphins?), and its powerful story resonated with audiences around the world. “Facing Ali” has the charm of the legendary boxer behind it and it’s actually a pretty riveting documentary in its own right. “Food, Inc.” is the kind of timely “message” movie the Academy loves, while “Valentino” and “Every Little Step” should fill out the rest of the ballot. We’d love to see “The Beaches Of Agnes” on there but we’re not going to hold our breath.
Oh, some are complaining that “It Might Get Loud,” the rock doc with Jack White, Jimmy Page and U2’s The Edge was snubbed as well, but it wasn’t really Oscar quality and more of something you’d enjoy on IFC. That’s not a diss, it’s a fine little doc, but not just run-out-and-see or anything.