The North American online magazine “Indiewear” highlighted the feature film “Vitalina Varela” – about a woman who lived most of her life to visit her husband, who was living in Portugal, and who Reaches the country three days after the funeral – a list of potential candidates for the Oscar for Best International Film. “15 Top Contestants for Best International Feature Film Oscar Shortlist“The title was chosen for the article in which the publication highlighted the 15 films most likely to be nominated for an Oscar.
Pedro Costa’s feature film, which “Indiewear” considers one of the few films “that combines a committed approach to cinematic ambition”, was one of those best criticized with 86 points (out of 100) It was appreciated. In the same article, it was also read that “Pedro Costa is not widely known among the members of the academy”, but that he has been praised by film fans for decades thanks to his sophisticated docudramas. Willem Dafoe and Spike Lee are also fans of Pedro Costa.
This year, the choice of the best international film – the category was previously known as the Best Foreign Film, but was renamed as a more inclusive one – went through the first selection of 15 films to be announced on 9 February Will go. The voting of the members of the academy will take place between the next Monday and the 5th and the final list of nominations will be revealed at this stage.
Last week, the “chief critic” of “Indiewear”, Eric Cohan, had already considered that “Vitalina Varela” might be the most moving candidate in this very special year, as it was a woman in the face of life Leaves the struggle behind. “And added that” Pedro Costa’s delicate mise-en-scène places him next to Andrei Tarkovsky, giving us a museum-worthy composition with each plan.
“Vitalina Varela” was already included in lists of the year’s best films in North American special publications and major newspapers, such as the “Los Angeles Times”, which placed her at number one, or list. Most recommended in “Variety”, “Artforum”, “Rolling Stone”, “Sight & Sound” or “Filmset”. It was also considered the fourth best foreign language film by film critics in the USA.
Première in North American theaters by Grasshopper Films, “Vitalina Varela” is available on platforms such as the Criterion Channel. In Portugal, the film has been edited into a special edition Bluray + DVD + book and DVD edition, by Midas Films.
Sign up route for OSCARES
Pedro Costa’s film “Vitalina Varela” is a Portuguese candidate in the Best International Film category at the American Academy of Cinema Awards, but it was not the first choice. He replaced “Listen” by Ana Rocha de Susa, who did not comply with the eligibility rules (as far as spoken language was concerned). The American refusal prompted members of the Portuguese Academy of Cinema to seek a second vote. The decision “reads a statement sent by the organization,” guaranteeing a new voting opportunity for everyone who previously selected the film in the vote.
Participated in the Locarno Festival in Switzerland in 2019, “Vitalina Varela” was awarded the top prize, the Golden Leopard, as well as the protagonist, Vitalina Varela, twice as Best Actress. San Francisco Film Festival awards director in April in the United States persistence of vision.
The 93rd edition of the Oscars will take place on April 25 at the Dolby Theater in Los Angeles. The American Academy of Cinema will distribute the award in 23 categories.
