Comments on: Cannes Hit ‘Blue Is The Warmest Color’ Sets Fall Release Date, Academy Won’t Bend Rules To Allow Oscar Consideration

By: The Fanciful Norwegian

The Fanciful Norwegian — Fri, 13 May 2016 09:30:23 +0000

"No one can doubt the quality of the movie"? Three names off the top of my head: Mahola Dargis, Mark Peranson, and Amy Taubin (who scores the film in the new issue of FILM COMMENT). Plus I don't see how anyone can read the Maroh statement linked above and suggest she doesn't "doubt the quality of the movie." If you like it, fine, but don't invent unanimity where none exists.

By: Milton P.

Milton P. — Fri, 13 May 2016 09:30:23 +0000

What a dumb rule for foreign language film. Sept. 30th? I'd assume that like here the many the good, original and edgy foreign movies come out in the fall/winter over there. This date almost ensure the soft squishy foreign films that always get nominated and win at the Oscars. Seems to be set up by design to shield the US and keep it all family friendly (Billy Crystal-safe if you may). Can anyone find a good explanation for that date to counter my speculation?.

By: Jeff

Jeff — Fri, 13 May 2016 09:30:23 +0000

I should probably retract my earlier comments. Hansen sounds like he's in the know, and Sehring obviously thinks there was a very good chance the French committee would select it. I still think of the Academy's foreign film committee membership as doddering old folks with pedestrian taste in cinema and a dislike of anything remotely "edgy," but in the wake of things like the Dogtooth nom, I probably need to rethink that.

By: Hansen

Hansen — Fri, 13 May 2016 09:30:23 +0000

Not true Jeff. While The Past is a strong film, I was unable to locate one person, in the know, who was thinking it would be submitted ahead of Blue is the Warmest Color if Blue was eligible. Not one. This was the same kind of thought process that had people thinking The Past would beat Blue for the Palme d'Or.

By: Jeff

Jeff — Fri, 13 May 2016 09:30:23 +0000

It's a complete non-issue. Each country only gets to submit one film for the "Best Foreign Language Film" category. The chances of France submitting a controversially graphic lesbian odyssey over Asghar Farhadi's Academy-friendly THE PAST were approximately zero anyway (Palme be damned). Since it's being released commercially in the U.S. during this calendar year, the film will still be eligible in every narrative Oscar category *except* "Best Foreign Language Film." It's best (though admittedly long) shots were always for actress and director anyway.