I’m currently living in Chiang Mai, Thailand where Hollywood films are shown dubbed or with subtitles. What makes this years race for Best Foreign Film interesting is that 1. There is a better selection of films, 2. Eight of the nine films have U.S. distribution, with Water available on DVD, 3. Three of the potential nominated films are by women, and 4. Two of the possible nominees are from directors who make movies that show up at your local multiplex. The films are officially entered by the country of origin:
Algeria — Indigènes (Days of Glory) — Rachid Bouchareb, director
Canada — Water — Deepa Mehta, director (Hindi language)
Denmark — Efter brylluppet (After the Wedding) — Susanne Bier, director
France — Fauteuils d’orchestre (Avenue Montaigne) — Danièle Thompson, director
Germany — Das Leben der Anderen (The Lives of Others) — Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck, director
Mexico — El laberinto del fauno (Pan’s Labyrinth) — Guillermo del Toro, director
Netherlands — Zwartboek (Black Book) — Paul Verhoeven, director
Spain — Volver (To Return) — Pedro Almodóvar, director
Switzerland — Vitus — Fredi M. Murer, director
Pan’s Labyrinth and Volver are considered sure bets this Tuesday. Almodovar is a previous Oscar winner. The Lives of Others has been considered a strong contender. A friend of mine who saw Black Book thinks Nazi Whore would be a better title, but the nomination might be considered a vindication for the director of Showgirls, Starship Troopers and Basic Instinct. We will see who the final five are on Tuesday. I haven’t seen Pan’s Labyrinth yet, but I like the idea of rooting for the guy who made Hellboy and Mimic. Del Toro also coined the phrase that inspired the Showtime series title Masters of Horror when he was at a very loud dinner party hosted by Mick Garris.
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Angus the Mutant said
January 22 2007 @ 5:19 pm
I can’t say enough great things about this film. It satisfies on so many different levels. Great acting, cinematography, special effects, an amazingly story – the list goes on…..
Guillermo del Toro’s ability to draw the audience into a story is without equal. It’s a wonderful tale split between the grim reality of the Spanish Civil War and a little girl’s strange and wonderul adventure’s in a hidden underworld.
Without a doubt, this is the must see film of 2006. I will certainly be purchasing the DVD as soon as it is available.
Marina said
January 23 2007 @ 12:33 am
I’ve seen a number of the contenders and as much as I enjoyed “Pan’s Labyrinth” I’m still pushing “The Lives of Others” for the win. Not as splashy, that’s for sure, but a powerful film none the less.
Chris said
January 23 2007 @ 7:37 pm
How is it that you’re in Chiang Mai and still able to keep in touch with all that’s going on in the world of film. I live in Bangkok and have only been gone from LA for 3 weeks and already feel way less connected. Not only will I miss the VES awards but I don’t even know how to catch the Oscars out here. Have to check out Pan’s Labyrinth, while Guillermo was cool to work with on Hellboy, I’m curious to see his hand on more serious fare.
BTW don’t knock subtitles, it’s way better than dubbing. In France moviegoers demands it be dubbed in French even though for the most part everyone speaks English. Can you imagine how badly Steve Martins French accent gag in the recent Pink Panther was destroyed by having his whole part dubbed in real French. It made a bad movie even worse.
Peter Nellhaus said
January 24 2007 @ 12:48 am
Hey Chris: Keeping in touch and actually seeing the films are two different things. As far as seeing some films, well keep your eyes open as to what the street vendors are offering. I did learn the hard way that it’s best to buy DVDs from someone with a TV so you can preview before you buy. I probably will miss the Oscar show too but I’m not sure I would want to watch it at Nine in the morning, either if it’s a live broadcast. As far as dubbing is concerned, my girlfriend prefers it, even though it made nonsense of the multi-lingual “Contempt”. If you have the chance, see Del Toro’s other Spanish Civil War film, “The Devil’s Backbone”.