Determining nominees for the Academy Award’s best documentary and foreign language film categories can be troublesome, primarily because the films, usually considered art-house fare, either rely on sometimes unpleasant real-life subject matter or–heaven forbid–are subtitled. Their somewhat limited appeal means that these films are often unavailable to people who live anywhere other than Los Angeles or New York–unless, of course, they gain popularity.
Thank goodness for 2002’s crop of well-made–and popular–documentaries and foreign language films. From Michael Moore‘s searing anti-gun tirade Bowling for Columbine, one of the highest-grossing documentaries of all-time, which means you can actually see it in Kansas City, to the hip skateboarding flick Dogtown and Z-Boys, the documentaries have a much wider appeal than ever before, and the same is true for the foreign films. Heck, you may have actually seen some of the movies on this year’s list of likely candidates, and we guarantee you’ve at least heard of most of them.
The Documentaries
The Kid Stays in the Picture: Hollywood sure loves stories about its golden days–and a documentary about legendary producer and former studio chief Robert Evans fits the bill nicely. Based on his 1994 autobiography, the film follows Evans‘ life from his short-lived movie career to his installation as chief of production at Paramount Pictures at the age of 34. Evans ran the studio from 1966 to 1974, guiding it through the production of some of its greatest films: Rosemary’s Baby, The Godfather and Chinatown. In the ’80s, things started falling apart for Evans; between a cocaine bust and rumored involvement with the Cotton Club murder, he nearly faded into obscurity. But through sheer tenacity, Evans‘ career has survived and he’s still producing films; his latest is the upcoming How To Lose a Guy in 10 Days. Evans proves the aptness of his title, and his true Hollywood story will likely hit Academy voters where it hurts.
Bowling for Columbine: Activist filmmaker Michael Moore (Roger & Me), once again delves into the American psyche to figure out how the United States–with the highest gun-murder rate in the world–can remain so adamantly pro-NRA. Using the horrific shootings at Columbine High School as a catalyst, the filmmaker blows apart conventional pro-gun rationale and discovers that American culture has its roots in fear and bigotry. He claims this history helps fuel the violence–though it gets more than a little help from corporate and political giants. This is a must-see for anyone with a conscience, but let’s hope the Academy doesn’t mind Moore‘s in-your-face style.
Dogtown and Z-Boys: This cool, hip film about the birth of skateboarding tells the story of how a motley crew of eight teenagers from a Santa Monica, Calif., area called Dogtown formed the Zephyr Team (or Z-boys) in the early ’70s and took skateboarding to exciting new heights. Eventually, several of the Z-Boys, including Dogtown‘s director Stacy Peralta, went on to get corporate sponsorships that elevated them from freewheeling street punks to celebrity skaters. Now, 25 years later, Peralta reunites with his old buddies to talk about the good old days. It’s probably not an Oscar winner, but it’ll be fun to see it on the list.
Standing in the Shadows of Motown: Anyone who loves the Motown sound will enjoy this documentary about Berry Gordy’s founding of the legendary music label. Looking back at an incredible group of musicians known as The Funk Brothers, who hailed from Detroit’s thriving jazz and blues scene, the story is told through archival footage and still photos, narration, interviews and recreated scenes. In addition to 20 Motown master tracks and 12 new live performances of Motown classics, the Funk Brothers are also shown backing up such music stars as Chaka Kahn, Meshell Ndegeocello and Gerald Levert. Reminiscing about good music will be hard to pass up.
[PAGEBREAK]
The Foreign Language Films
City of God (Brazil): Cidade de Deus (City of God) is a housing project built in the 1960s that in the early ’80s became one of the most dangerous places in Rio de Janeiro. The main character, Busca-Pé, a poor black youth too frail and scared to become an outlaw, discovers that he can see reality differently than others and becomes a photographer, documenting this complicated world he is forced to live in–and we see this endlessly violent environment explode through his eyes. A vibrant and often brutal film, it should certainly make it to the Oscar list.
Hero (China): From director Zhang Yimou, Hero is a more traditional Chinese action film than, say, the mystical Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, with an all-star cast (even by U.S. standards), including Jet Li and Crouching star Zhang Ziyi. The film centers on the soon-to-be First Emperor of China, who unified the country’s mass of warring states 2,200 years ago and brought the violent Qin dynasty to a close. As three opponents are determined to assassinate the emperor, one loyal subject stands in their way. Martial arts flicks are just the rage now, so this is a strong possibility.
The Crime of Father Amaro (Mexico): Mixing Catholicism and sex always makes for an explosive combination. The film revolves around young Father Amaro (Y Tu Mama Tambien‘s Gael Garcia Bernal), who comes to a small Mexican province Los Reyes to help an aging priest Father Benito (Sancho Garcia). Once there, however, he meets the beautiful Amelia (Ana Claudia Talancon) and becomes immediately smitten. He also discovers that the Church has corrupt dealings with the local hoodlums in the town, and between these two revelations he soon finds himself questioning his vows and the Church itself. Already a huge crowd-pleaser in its own country, Amaro could wow Academy voters as well.
Nowhere in Africa (Germany): This adaptation of Stefanie Zweig’s bestselling autobiographical novel is an engaging film that follows a German family, the Redlichs, as they move from their homeland to the open plains of Kenya just as World War II is about to begin. Through the narrative of the young protagonist Regina (Lea Kurka), we learn that the Redlichs have a tough time adjusting to their new life, yet after many years, when the opportunity to go back to Germany arises, Regina realizes she is already home. Sweeping vistas of an untouched Africa always makes for an Oscar-worthy film. Plus it got a Golden Globe nomination.
8 Women (France): A family gathers for a holiday, only to discover the beloved patriarch has been murdered. The killer has to be one of the eight women closest to the man, and each has her own motive and her own secrets. So, take an isolated mansion, the 1950s, a classic whodunit, beautiful French scenery and the crème de la crème of French actresses, including Virginie Ledoyen (The Beach), Emmanuelle Beart (Manon of the Spring), Isabelle Huppert (The Piano Teacher) and Catherine Deneuve (Indochine), and what do you have? Oscar bait.
And those foreign films surprisingly denied access…:
The official rules of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences allow each country to submit its best film of the year to the Academy for consideration in the Best Foreign Language Film category. A jury of filmmakers from that country selects that film, which need not have been released in Los Angeles.
Since each country can submit only one film, Mexico’s popular Y Tu Mama Tambien–a tale of two teenage guys, an older woman and a road trip to the beach–isn’t on this list of predictions; the country submitted The Crime of Father Amaro instead of the U.S. indie favorite. My guess? Too much sex in Tambien.
Another noteworthy absence is Spanish director Pedro Almodovar‘s Golden Globe-winning Talk To Her, which has won just about every foreign language film award out there and just recently swept the Spanish version of the Academy Awards. Instead, Spain submitted Los Lunes Al Sole (Mondays in the Sun), a look at the day in the life of a group of men in Northern Spain. Whatever the rationale for that decision, the flamboyant Almodovar will be missed at the Oscars.
And may the best film win!
