Two days to go until the deadline for Best Foreign Language Film submissions, and the latest nation to enter the fray is Greece. Seeking their first nomination since 1977 — that’s right, no Theo Angelopoulos film ever made the cut — the Greeks have selected Thanos Anastopoulos’ “Correction,” a racially charged drama about the country’s Albanian immigrant population.
By all accounts a challenging, defiantly minimalist work, the film bowed at Berlin in February to middling reviews, with both Variety and Screen International predicting it would have a hard time crossing over.
On another note, The Philippines is seeking their first ever nomination in this category for “Ploning.” This was announced some time ago, and I listed it in one of my updates last week. However, following an enthusiastic recommendation for the film from a reader (see, we do listen), I thought I’d mention it again.
Set on the beautiful fishing island of Cuyo, ‘Ploning’ is a gentle romance centred on the yearning of a 30 year-old spinster for a lover who disappeared fifteen years previously, and the consequences of her quest to find him. Judging from the stills on the film’s rather fancy website, it looks like a visual treat. It’s been warmly received in its home country, and recently had a limited release in Canada.
A independent debut feature from a largely unhailed film industry, “Ploning” would appear to be one of the underdogs in the competition, but the Academy frequently likes to throw one of them into the race. Countries like Georgia, Nepal and Kazakhstan have emerged as unlikely nominees in the past — The Philippines might just follow suit.
Comments
7 responses to “Foreign film watch: ‘Correction,’ ‘Ploning’”
even though I think that Ploning is not the best bet for oscar, I sure do hope that this is the movie that finally takes Philippines to the Kodak theater
this is an over-earnest and calculating movie with aspirations of Oscar glory. all it had going was its cinematography. the music was overbearing as if dictating what the audience should feel and some of the actors were hamming it up and being too “theater-ish”. Ergo, this is an indie version of a Joel Lamangan movie! bwahahaha!
I assume you’re referrring to “Ploning”?
“Over-earnest and calculating” isn’t always a bad way to go with the Oscars :)
Ploning is a very intelligent film. Simple yet poweful film.
I agree, it was a very pleaseant suprise…this film is an unexpected charmer ;)
This is not the Philippines’ best this year, and although this is something we’d never expect to enter Cannes or Berlin or those artsy film fests, it’s strong heartwarming feel makes it a good Oscar bet. I guess it’s just a matter of pitting it where it has a chance, and the mainstream-ish, restorative value of the Academy is fitting for it…
Какие нужные слова… супер, отличная фраза