The 2024 Oscar race for Best International Feature Film is moving faster than usual. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has advanced its submission deadline for countries by a full month, compressing the timeline for national film boards to make their selections. Despite this shift, countries still have until November 15 to screen their selected films in theaters in their respective countries, allowing them to fulfill the eligibility requirements. This year’s process is not only quicker but also stricter in terms of who can participate in selecting their country’s Oscar submission.
A key change to the selection process is that 50% of the members on the selection committees must be filmmakers, including artists and craftspeople. This decision was likely made to ensure that the selection reflects a more creative and diverse point of view. Countries with prominent film industries, such as France, have adapted to these new rules by expanding their committees. In France’s case, the committee increased from seven to 11 members, aiming to bring a broader range of perspectives into the decision-making process.
France’s History of Contentious Oscar Submissions
France, with its rich cinematic history, has often faced criticism over its selections for the Oscars, particularly when it comes to the Best International Feature Film category. Although the country is renowned for producing high-quality films, its choices for Oscar submissions haven’t always been well-received by the international community or even within its own borders.
In recent years, France has been accused of selecting the “wrong” film for its Oscar submission. A notable example occurred in 2021 when France submitted “Titane”, a daring and unconventional film that won the prestigious Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival. However, despite its festival success, “Titane” failed to secure an Oscar nomination, sparking debates about whether the country should have submitted Audrey Diwan’s “Happening” instead. Many critics believed “Happening” had a more universally resonant narrative, which could have performed better with Academy voters.
France’s decision for the 2024 Oscars has also been met with controversy. The country chose “The Taste of Things” over “Anatomy of a Fall”, a film that not only became a critical favorite but also went on to secure a nomination for Best Picture. The decision raised eyebrows, with many wondering if France once again missed an opportunity to push a film with broader international appeal. Interestingly, Audrey Diwan, whose film “Happening” was passed over for “Titane” in 2021, is now serving on the French selection committee, adding a layer of intrigue to the country’s decision-making process this year.
Other notable members of the French committee include veteran producer Patrick Wachsberger (known for his work on “CODA”) and acclaimed playwright and filmmaker Florian Zeller (who won an Oscar for “The Father”). Their inclusion reflects France’s intention to bring diverse industry insights to the table, given the high stakes of the Oscar race.
France Selects Jacques Audiard’s “Emilia Pérez” for Its 2024 Oscar Submission
For the 2024 Oscars, France has selected Jacques Audiard’s “Emilia Pérez” as its official submission for Best International Feature Film. This decision has generated significant buzz, as “Emilia Pérez” is not only a bold choice but also a film that has already garnered international attention. The film, which is a Spanish-language musical, tells a unique and captivating story that is expected to resonate with both domestic and international audiences.
“Emilia Pérez” is directed by Jacques Audiard, one of France’s most respected filmmakers, whose previous works include critically acclaimed films like “A Prophet” and “Dheepan”. Audiard is a well-known figure on the international film circuit, and his involvement alone adds significant prestige to France’s Oscar submission.
The film has already made waves on the festival circuit, winning two major prizes at the Cannes Film Festival. Its success at Cannes, coupled with the intense buzz surrounding it, made “Emilia Pérez” the frontrunner for France’s submission long before the official announcement. The film was particularly notable at the fall film festivals, where it dominated discussions and attracted significant attention.
In a highly competitive bidding war, Netflix secured the North American and U.K. rights to “Emilia Pérez,” underscoring the film’s strong potential to perform well in the awards season. Netflix’s aggressive acquisition strategy, led by its awards chief Lisa Taback, highlights the streaming giant’s belief in the film’s Oscar prospects. The company is planning to push the film in multiple categories, including Best Picture, further amplifying its chances of being a major player in this year’s Oscar race.
Karla Sofia Gascón: A Groundbreaking Performance
One of the most talked-about aspects of “Emilia Pérez” is the standout performance of Karla Sofia Gascón, a Spanish transgender actress who takes on a dual role in the film. Gascón plays a macho drug kingpin who undergoes a gender transition, a complex and nuanced character arc that has earned her widespread acclaim. Her performance is already being touted as a potential Best Actress contender, making her one of the few trans women in Oscar history to be in the running for such a prestigious award.
The supporting cast includes well-known names like Zoe Saldana and Selena Gomez, both of whom are also being considered for Supporting Actress nominations. With such a strong ensemble cast, “Emilia Pérez” has the potential to make waves in several acting categories, which would further boost its overall Oscar chances.
Audiard’s Dual Role: Writer and Director
Jacques Audiard is not only being recognized for his directorial work on “Emilia Pérez” but also for his contributions to the screenplay. Audiard co-wrote the script with Thomas Bidegain and Nicolas Livecchi, and the film’s innovative storytelling has made it a standout in a crowded awards season. Audiard is expected to be a strong contender in both the Best Director and Best Original Screenplay categories, further cementing the film’s place as a major Oscar contender.
Fierce Competition for Best Picture
While “Emilia Pérez” has garnered significant attention, it is by no means the only film vying for Best Picture. Its main competitor at this stage appears to be Sean Baker’s anarchic comedy “Anora”, which won the Palme d’Or at Cannes. Like “Emilia Pérez,” “Anora” has been a festival favorite and is expected to mount a strong Oscar campaign, particularly in the Best Picture category.
Despite the competition, “Emilia Pérez” has already proven itself to be a dominant force at festivals like Telluride and Toronto. It even secured the position of first runner-up for the People’s Choice Award at the Toronto International Film Festival, a strong indicator of its potential appeal to both critics and general audiences. Additionally, the film has become a box-office hit in France, further bolstering its chances as France’s Oscar submission.
France’s Other Shortlisted Films
Though “Emilia Pérez” was the clear favorite, it faced stiff competition from several other films that were shortlisted for France’s submission. One of these was an adaptation of Alexandre Dumas’ classic adventure novel “The Count of Monte Cristo”, which has been a smash hit at the French box office. Another strong contender was Payal Kapadia’s “All We Imagine as Light”, a film that won the Cannes Grand Prix and has received widespread critical acclaim. Rounding out the shortlist was Alain Guiraudie’s “Misericordia”, an edgy thriller that has earned praise for its understated but gripping storytelling.
“All We Imagine as Light” and India’s Oscar Submission
While “All We Imagine as Light” didn’t make the cut as France’s submission, it remains a strong contender for India’s Oscar selection. India is expected to announce its submission on September 27, and many believe that Kapadia’s film, with its Cannes Grand Prix win and strong critical support, stands a good chance of being chosen. However, India’s track record in selecting Oscar submissions has been less than stellar. The country hasn’t earned an Oscar nomination since “Lagaan” in 2001, despite having a rich and diverse film industry.
If “All We Imagine as Light” doesn’t make the cut as India’s submission, it may still find other opportunities to compete in the awards season, as foreign-language films are increasingly breaking into the Best Picture race. Last year, two foreign-language films, “Anatomy of a Fall” and “The Zone of Interest“, secured Best Picture nominations, underscoring the growing influence of international films within the Academy.
The Growing Influence of the International Voting Bloc
The inclusion of foreign-language films in major Oscar categories reflects the increasing power of the international voting bloc within the Academy. This group now constitutes 20% of all voters, making it a significant force in shaping the outcome of the awards. Their influence has been particularly evident in recent years, with films like “Parasite” and “Drive My Car” not only winning Best International Feature Film but also competing in categories traditionally dominated by English-language films.
“Emilia Pérez” Faces Global Competition
While “Emilia Pérez” is shaping up to be a strong contender, it will face fierce competition in the international category. One of its chief rivals could be “All We Imagine as Light”, especially if it is selected as India’s submission. Another potential competitor is Rungano Nyoni’s “On Becoming a Guinea Fowl”, a film from Zambia produced by A24, which has a history of supporting strong Oscar campaigns.
Mohammad Rasoulof’s “The Seed of the Sacred Fig”, a German submission, is another film gaining momentum. Rasoulof, a filmmaker banned from working in his home country of Iran, has received critical acclaim for his work, and his latest film has been building strong word-of-mouth support ever since its premiere at Cannes.
A Strong Contender in Multiple Categories
For now, “Emilia Pérez” appears to be in an excellent position for multiple Oscar nominations, with Best Picture being one of its most likely prospects. While the Best International Feature Film category will be highly competitive, it may only be icing on the cake for a film that has already established itself as a major player in this year’s awards season.
With strong backing from Netflix, a talented cast, and a visionary director in Jacques Audiard, “Emilia Pérez” is well-poised to make a significant impact on the 2024 Oscars. Whether it can sweep the awards or face stiff competition remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: France’s choice of “Emilia Pérez” has set the stage for a thrilling Oscar race that will undoubtedly keep audiences and critics engaged until the big night.
The Information is Collected from Variety and IMDb.
