Press Release - 'Universal Language' is Canada’s Choice in the race for Best International Feature Film at the 2025 Oscars®@MetafilmsInc @OscopeLabs @TheAcademy https://t.co/LRnh8MHHNo
— Telefilm Canada (@Telefilm_Canada) August 27, 2024
Telefilm Canada has selected Universal Language | Une langue universelle as Canada's entry into the Best International Feature Film for the 97th Academy Awards for next March.
The Matthew Rankin film did well at Cannes and seemed to be the logical pick for the Oscars. Rankin is the director and co-writer of the film along with Pirouz Nemati and Ila Firouzabadi.
The film had its world premiere at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival and its North American debut will be at TIFF on September 10. Universal Language | Une langue universelle will have a theatrical run in Canada starting September 20. Any qualifying film needs a theatrical run for at least 7 consecutive days between November 1, 2023, and September 30, 2024.
The film stars Rojina Esmaeili, Saba Vahedyousefi, Pirouz Nemati, Mani Soleymanlou, and Matthew Rankin. The languages are French and Farsi within the film.
Screen Daily reported that there were 28 entries for last year's Oscars in this category. Telefilm Canada picked Rojek out of that group. There were 16 films 2 years ago and 10 films 3 years ago. Telefilm Canada doesn't release the list of films under contention.
The publication also reported that Telefilm Canada gives up to $100,000 in promotional support with $40,000 for submissions that make the shortlist of 15 titles.
This is the first feature from Canada in 3 years in this Academy Awards category. Telefilm Canada went with documentaries in the last 2 years with Rojek last year and Eternal Spring 2 years ago. Drunken Birds | Les Oiseaux ivres was the last feature in this category 3 years ago.
The hope is that Universal Language | Une langue universelle will be part of the worldwide conversation for the Best International Feature Film for the Academy Awards.
Canadian film "A Shrine," directed by Abdolreza Kahani, is in the final list for Canada's Oscars entry in the International Feature Film category at the 96th Academy Awards. The final representative will be announced in two weeks. #Oscars2024 @AbdolrezaKahani pic.twitter.com/w2u7CesPVC
— Reihane Taravati (@reihanetaravati) August 14, 2024
We almost never know any other nominees than the one Telefilm Canada picks for the honour. Stumbled upon this tweet. Surprised more films don't announce their status.
We should clarify that while the tweet says "96th Academy Awards," the films are up for the 97th Academy Awards. More like #Oscars2025.
We were curious if Humanist Vampire Seeking Consenting Suicidal Person | Vampire humaniste cherche suicidaire consentant made the shortlist.
Matthew Rankin's new film was a highlight at Cannes 2024
France and Poland had prominent debates last year over the film selected for the Best International Feature Film. Poland selected The Peasants over The Green Border more than likely due to government interference. Though Anatomy of a Fall won major "foreign film" awards, France picked The Taste of Things | La Passion de Dodin Bouffant for its official selection.
In these instances, there were 2 strong films and a discussion. In Canada, there is no talk or speculation — at least in English language circles — as to what films missed the cut.
2024 TIFF Canadian film preview
Universal Language won the first-ever Chantal Akerman award at Cannes: an audience prize presented to the best film in the Directors’ Fortnight section of the Cannes film festival. Akerman is one of our favourite filmmakers, regardless of country. She is known for Jeanne Dielman, 23 quai du Commerce, 1080 Bruxelles and Je Tu Il Elle.
Looking back at the last 20 Canada Oscars entries for international films
Looking back at Canada's Oscars entries for international films
This might seem early for Canada to make its submission to the 97th Academy Awards for Best International Feature Film, but these countries have already submitted their entries: Austria, Germany, Iraq, Ireland, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Palestine, Taiwan, Turkey, and Uruguay.
All countries submitting films have until October 2.
Rojek misses the Oscars shortlist cut for Best International Feature Film
Canadian film case study: Rojek
Rojek is Canada's entry into the Academy Awards for Best International Feature Film
CanadianCrossing.com film coverage
Your humble narrator is looking forward to seeing Universal Language | Une langue universelle with the idea of joy at seeing Canada'e entry into the Oscars. Watching Rojek was a legit chore. I have seen the last 27 Canadian entries in the Best International Feature Film category. The most recent one I haven't seen is Not Me! | Sous-Sol from the Oscars in 1997.
We will know the films to make the shortlist on December 17. The Oscars nominations get released on January 17, 2025 with the Academy Awards ceremony on March 2, 2025.
Twitter captures: @Telefilm_Canada; @reihanetaravati
photo credit: Universal Language | Une langue universelle
video credit: Telefilm Canada
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