As predicted last month, there was a “surprise” inclusion in the final five nominees for Best International Feature Film in the form of Bhutan’s Lunana: A Yak in the Classroom. The film was actually planned to be the country’s submission last year, but Bhutan failed to establish an Academy-approved selection committee, leading to an unfortunate disqualification. Clearly, the now-approved Bhutanese committee believed in the film strongly enough to submit it again this year, and it’s paid off with a nomination.
While it was staggering to see the acclaimed A Hero miss out, one can only presume the nominating committee believed Asghar Farhadi has been honoured enough over the last decade with victories for A Separation and The Salesman. It was wonderful to see Flee score a nod here, completing its history-making trio of nominations. And, as expected, the film was joined by Drive My Car, The Worst Person in the World, and The Hand of God.
As for the shape of the race, well, there really is no stopping Japan’s Drive My Car now. After the film picked up a historic nomination for Best Picture and Ryusuke Hamaguchi scored nods for Best Director and Best Adapted Screenplay with Takamasa Oe, this category was all but sewn up. The buzz for the film has been building for months and that will likely crescendo with a victory for Best International Feature Film.
The only true contender to pull off a shock upset victory would be Norway’s The Worst Person in the World, given it’s the only other nominee in this category with a major nomination elsewhere. Its surprise (and well-deserved) nod for Best Original Screenplay proved there’s a lot of love for this film. Probably not enough love to overtake Drive My Car, but never say never.
BEST INTERNATIONAL FEATURE PREDICTIONS:
1. Drive My Car (Japan)
2. The Worst Person in the World (Norway)
3. Flee (Denmark)
4. The Hand of God (Italy)
5. Lunana: A Yak in the Classroom (Bhutan)
