Fifty-one countries have entered the race for the 2001 foreign-language film Oscar, besting last year’s record competition by five pics.
Joining France (“Amelie”), Austria (“The Piano Teacher”) and Colombia (“Our Lady of the Assassins”) on the list of contenders are pics from four first-timers: Armenia, Kyrgyzstan, Tanzania and Uruguay.
O’seas contenders
Other entries include Bosnia-Herzegovina’s “No Man’s Land,” Brazil’s “Behind the Sun,” the Czech Republic’s “Dark Blue World,” Denmark’s “Italian for Beginners” and Italo entry “The Son’s Room.”
Selections were made by juries of filmmakers in each country. Only one pic, which need not have been released in L.A., was accepted per country.
Before voting on the five Oscar nominees, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences’ foreign-language film committee, chaired by producer Mark Johnson, must see each entry; screenings start Nov. 28.
Getting a gander
Pics submitted in the foreign-lingo category may qualify for Oscars in other categories, provided they meet the requirements governing them.
Nominations will be announced Feb. 12; the 74th annual Academy Awards will be held March 24 at the Kodak Theater in Hollywood.
This year’s submissions are:
Albania, “Slogans,” Gjergj Xhuvani, director
Algeria, “Inch’Allah Dimanche,” Yamina Benguigui, director
Argentina, “Son of the Bride,” Juan José Campanella, director
Armenia, “Symphony of Silence,” Vigen Chaldranian, director
Australia, “La Spagnola,” Steve Jacobs, director
Austria, “The Piano Teacher,” Michael Haneke, director
Belgium, “Pauline & Paulette,” Lieven Debrauwer, director
Bosnia & Herzegovina, “No Man’s Land,” Danis Tanovic, director
Brazil, “Behind the Sun,” Walter Salles, director
Bulgaria, “Fate as a Rat,” Ivan Pavlov, director
Canada, “Atanarjuat,” Zacharias Kunuk, director
Chile, “A Cab for Three,” Orlando Lubbert, director
Colombia, “Our Lady of the Assassins,” Barbet Schroeder, director
Croatia, “Queen of the Night,” Branko Schmidt, director
Czech Republic, “Dark Blue World,” Jan Sverak, director
Denmark, “Italian for Beginners,” Lone Scherfig, director
Estonia, “The Heart of the Bear,” Arvo Iho, director
Finland, “The River,” Jarmo Lampela, director
France, “Amélie,” Jean-Pierre Jeunet, director
Georgia, “The Migration of the Angel,” Nodar Managadze, director
Germany, “The Experiment,” Oliver Hirschbiegel, director
Greece, “In Good Company,” Nikos Zapatinas, director
Hong Kong, “Fulltime Killer,” Johnnie To & Wai Ka Fai, directors
Hungary “Abandoned,” Arpád Sopsits, director
Iceland, “The Seagull’s Laughter,” Agust Gudmundsson, director
India, “Lagaan,” Ashutosh Gowariker, director
Iran, “Baran,” Majid Majidi, director
Israel, “Late Marriage,” Dover Kosahvili, director
Italy, “The Son’s Room,” Nanni Moretti, director
Japan, “Go,” Isao Yukisada, director
Kyrgyzstan, “The Chimp,” Aktan Abdykalykov, director
Mexico, “Perfume de violetas, nadie te oye,” Maryse Sistach, director
Netherlands, “Nynke,” Pieter Verhoeff, director
Norway, “Elling,” Petter Nëss, director
Philippines, “In the Bosom of the Enemy,” Gil M. Portes, director
Poland, “Quo Vadis,” Jerzy Kawalerowicz, director
Portugal, “Camarate,” Luis Filipe Rocha, director
Puerto Rico, “12 Hours,” Raúl Marchand-Sánchez, director
Russia, “The Romanovs: An Imperial Family,” Gleb Panfilov, director
Slovenia, “Bread and Milk,” Jan Cvitkovic , director
Spain, “Mad Love,” Vicente Aranda, director
Sweden, “Jalla! Jalla!,” Josef Fares, director
Switzerland, “In Praise of Love,” Jean-Luc Godard, director
Taiwan, “The Cabbie,” Zhang Huakun & Chen Yiwen, directors
Tanzania, “Maangamizi,” Martin Mhando & Ron Mulvihill, directors
Thailand, “The Moonhunter,” Bhandit Rittakol, director
Turkey, “Büyük Adam Küçük Ask / Hejar,” Handan Ipekça , director
United Kingdom (Wales), “Do Not Go Gentle,” Emlyn Williams, director
Uruguay, “In This Tricky Life,” Beatriz Flores Silva, director
Venezuela, “A House with a View of the Sea,” Alberto Aruelo, director
Yugoslavia, “War Live,” Darko Bajic , director
