While we await the Oscars shortlist to be unveiled on December 21, the race for Best Documentary Feature still feels more wide open than in previous years. For the time being, Matthew Heineman’s American Symphony feels like our leader, just based on the strength of having the might of both Netflix and the Obamas’ Higher Ground behind it a la 2019’s winner American Factory. That being said, so did last year’s Descendant, which ultimately failed to be nominated.
The nominations for the Cinema Eye Honors gave a big boost to films like 20 Days in Mariupol, 32 Sounds, Four Daughters, and Kokomo City, as did the NYFCC win for Frederick Wiseman’s four-hour epic Menus-Plaisirs – Les Troisgros. It also helps that 20 Days in Mariupol and Four Daughters have been chosen as the submissions for Best International Feature Film by Ukraine and Tunisia, respectively.
The only major documentary awards to take place thus far have been the Critics Choice Documentary Awards where Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie swept with five wins including Best Documentary Feature. That’s the exact same number of wins for Good Night Oppy last year, which not only failed to receive an Oscar nomination, it couldn’t even crack the Academy’s shortlist. Perhaps it’s best to wait and see if the Michael J. Fox doco is headed for a similar fate.
It’s undeniable that Russia’s war on Ukraine helped Navalny to an entirely deserving Oscar win last year. Given the conflict is still ongoing, 20 Days in Mariupol could certainly receive a similar response, particularly as its subject matter is directly related to Russia’s invasion of the titular city. And the subject of the dictatorship of North Korea is always pertinent, so look out for Beyond Utopia as the potential frontrunner.
BEST DOCUMENTARY FEATURE PREDICTIONS:
1. American Symphony (Netflix)
2. Beyond Utopia (Roadside Attractions)
3. 20 Days in Mariupol (PBS)
4. Anselm (Janus Films)
5. The Pigeon Tunnel (Apple Original Films)
IN CONTENTION
The Eternal Memory (MTV Documentary Films)
Kokomo City (Magnolia Pictures)
Menus-Plaisirs—Les Troisgros (Zipporah Films)
The Mission (National Geographic)
Nothing Lasts Forever (Showtime)
Orlando, My Political Documentary (Janus Films/Sideshow)
Silver Dollar Road (Amazon Studios)
Stamped from the Beginning (Netflix)
Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie (Apple Original Films)
They Shot the Piano Player (Sony Pictures Classics)
32 Sounds (Abramorama)