For reasons I’ve never been able to determine, BAFTA chooses to reveal its nominees for Best Foreign Language Film two weeks before revealing their full nomination list. Way to make a ghetto category seem even more so, but … anyway. The nominees are:
“Broken Embraces”
“Coco Before Chanel”
“Let the Right One In”
“A Prophet”
“The White Ribbon”
The last three are both inevitable and deserving contenders, but the first two reek of autopilot voting. I bow to no one in my love for the man’s work, but most would agree that “Broken Embraces” is mid-range Almodóvar at best.
As for “Coco Before Chanel,” well … words fail me. French cinema alone produced a bevy of more interesting contenders — “35 Shots of Rum,” anyone? “Seraphine?” Hell, “The Class” was eligible this year. In my best Miranda Priestley impression, am I reaching for the stars here?
(Before anyone asks, by the way, “Let the Right One In” was a spring 2009 release here in the UK, hence its eligibility. US critics’ darling “Summer Hours” was a summer 2008 release, hence its ineligibility.)
The BAFTA nominations are announced on 21 January. More on their just-revealed longlists coming shortly.
Comments
15 responses to “BAFTA announces Best Foreign Film nominees”
BROKEN EMBRACES WINNER
They are revealing the nominees this early, so that BAFTA members have more time to check out the releases, says the BAFTA site.
Felix: Yeah, I know that’s their line. But honestly, the voters really should have already seen all these films (not least since they’re eligible in all categories).
Though some critics seems to think Broken Embraces is not Almodovar’s best, I think a lot of viewers love the film. And it gets even better upon a second viewing.
I am seeing Broken Embraces at my local art house cinema this Saturday b/c it finally gets released here in Richmond, VA. I have heard mixed things but I cannot say no to a chance to finally see Almodovar on the big screen (I missed out on seeing Volver in theaters and have never forgiven myself for it.)
I didn’t like Coco Before Chanel (too mediocre) but I did love The White Ribbon and Let The Right One In. I have yet to see A Prophet but am looking forward to it.
I disagree about “Broken Embraces”. I´ve seen it twice and I wouldn´t hesitate seeing it a third and fourth time, especially on the big screen. There are so many things to discover in this movie – on the one hand it´s an eye candy with many references to classic cinema including “Film Noir”, Alfred Hitchcock and the 50´s melodramas á la Douglas Sirk, on the other hand I found the story, and especially Lluis Homar in the role of a blind screenwriter recalling his affaire to the late Lena, extremely moving.
Broken Embraces, to me, is a cinephiles wet dream!
This and “Talk to her” are my favourites of Almodovar!
Having just seen “Broken Embraces,” I would say it is below mid-range Almodovar. And I love Almodovar.
I’m not the biggest Almodovar fan, but I’ve seen and enjoyed every movie he’s done since All About My Mother. Here is how I would rank them:
1. All About My Mother
2. Bad Education
3. Broken Embraces
4. Talk to Her
5. Volver
Clearly I’m in disagreement with most people on that, but I still feel that Broken Embraces is a deserving nominee.
As for Coco before Chanel, I thought it was dull, and featured a very weak performance by Audrey Tautou. A major disappointment.
For those seeing “Broken Embraces” – if you get a chance, watch “Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown” beforehand as some of the final scenes will make more sense.
“The White Ribbon” – Brilliant!!!
1. Volver
2. Talk to Her
3. Broken Embraces
4. All About My Mother
5. Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown
“Volver” is not just my favorite Almodóvar, it’s one of my all-time favorite films. One of those films that goes straight to your heart and you remember forever for me. It was also the film that made me fall in love Penélope Cruz, such a beautiful woman and great actress. She gives her best performance in this film and she is astounding in her other films such as Elegy, Non ti Muovere, Vicky Cristina Barcelona, All About my Mother and of course, Broken Embraces. Too bad Nine was a dissapointment although she was good in it, just not in the level of her other performances.
Also, I am dying to see “The White Ribbon” and “A Prophet”. Both look stunning!
That “Coco Avant Chanel” nod is a pure and utter token box office nomination since it’s the highest-grossing foreign language film of the year. That in itself is disappointing.
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