After a landmark Academy Awards where “Parasite” became the first film not in the English language to win Best Picture, the International Film category is at a pandemic induced crossroads. With film festivals forced to mostly adjust to virtual screenings and major bellwethers such as Cannes and Telluride scuttled, the Oscars are looking at the most wide-open race in at least a decade. And that’s not just talking about the eventual five nominated films, but the 10 selections on the ever-important shortlist.
That being said, there are three likely contenders to make the shortlist. Denmark’s “Another Round” which features a nomination-worthy performance from Mads Mikkelsen, the Romanian documentary “Collective,” which is already one of the most critically acclaimed films of the year, and “Apples,” another critic’s favorite that is subtly and unintentionally timely. Meanwhile, potential favorites such as “Summer of 85” (France), “The Life Ahead” (Italy), “The Disciple” (India) and “I Carry You With Me” (Mexico), were snubbed by their respective selection committees. [Posted Nov. 30]
LIKELY SHORTLIST
“Another Round” – Denmark
“Collective” – Romania
“Apples” – Greece
IN THE MIX
“Quo Vadis, Aida?” – Bosnia and Herzegovina
“Charlatan” – Czech Republic
“Deux” – France
“Beginning” – Georgia
“La Llorona” – Guatemala
“Notturno” – Italy
“Night of the Kings” – Ivory Coast
“True Mothers” – Japan
“I’m No Longer Here” – Mexico
“Never Gonna Snow Again” – Poland
“Dear Comrades!” – Russia
“My Little Sister” – Switzerland
“Atlantis” – Ukraine
YOU NEVER KNOW
“Working Girls” – Belgium
“Babenco: Tell Me When I Die” – Brazil
“Funny Boy” – Canada
“The Mole Agent” – Chile
“Tove” – Finland
“And Tomorrow the Entire World” – Germany
“Preparations to Be Together for an Unknown Period of Time” – Hungary
“Better Days” – Hong Kong
“Jallikattu” – India
“The Sun” – Iran
“Asia” – Israel
“The Man Standing Next” – South Korea
“The Endless Trench” – Spain
“A Sun” – Taiwan
2021 Contenders and Predictions
Best Picture
Best Director
Best Actress
Best Actor
Best Supporting Actress
Best Supporting Actor