Best International Feature Film: Ranking Every Oscar Nominee
Written by Andreas Babiolakis
We have reached the last of the feature film categories to not be titled Best Picture, and the category that is actually my favourite of them all: Best International Feature Film. I typically find that the nominees here are stronger as a whole than even the Best Picture collectives on an annual basis. The 2021 selections haven’t disappointed either. The weakest nominee here is still a great film that I would absolutely recommend. A handful of my favourite films of 2021 are here as well, so I’m obviously excited to get going with these picks. Here are your nominees.
Biggest Snub: A Hero-Iran
The real answer here is Parallel Mothers, but I can’t fault the Academy when Spain selected The Good Boss over it. Out of the actual shortlisted nominees, I’ll go with Asghar Farhadi’s latest film A Hero. Farhadi is a two time winner of this category, and, while I don’t think he stood a chance this year because of one particular film, it would have been nice to see him getting his dues again, especially for yet another fantastic motion picture in his filmography. He will most certainly be back, rest assured.
5. The Hand of God-Italy
The Hand of God felt like a nice return to form for Paolo Sorrentino, which is always good news to me. It is beautifully shot with the city of Naples as a major character in this coming-of-age story full of fate and tribulation. Even though it is ranked last here, I still find The Hand of God to be a worthwhile film full of wonder, absurdity, and pathos. It was a film that I wasn’t sure would be nominated, but I’m happy to see it getting a nod here.
4. Lunana: A Yak in the Classroom-Bhutan
I originally was going to rank Lunana: A Yak in the Classroom last despite liking it a lot, but it has just stuck with me ever since I first watched it. It really touched my soul in a way I wasn’t expecting. I’ve really come around to seeing why the Academy was willing to give Lunana so many second chances (it’s a 2019 film that couldn’t meet specific criteria the first time it was submitted, but was accepted a year later). It’s just so easy to love Lunana, because of how nicely it showcases the titular location and its citizens, as well as the tender way it tells its story about an outlier being accepted in a community.
3. Flee-Denmark
Flee is a powerful depiction of the many hurdles refugees have to jump, especially when they get separated in the middle of their exiles. Knowing that this retelling is only one such story of millions only makes Flee even sadder to witness: the gravity of the entire notion of people being forced out of their motherlands weighs much heavier. Despite being a nominee of Denmark that presents a former citizen of Afghanistan, Flee feels like a universal film that pertains to countless lives.
2. The Worst Person in the World-Norway
It’s always so nice to see a fresh take on the romantic genre, whether it be the comedic or dramatic sectors. The Worst Person in the World tackles both as a sensational blend as it revels in the grey area of our hearts (the confusion brought upon by the proverbial butterflies in our stomachs). I love how difficult it is to define The Worst Person in the World in simple terms, and I find its relatability and metaphysical nature will render the film a highlight of both 2021 and potentially the decade in its entirety as a prime example of how romance can be portrayed in the twenty first century.
1. Drive My Car-Japan
Drive My Car is an astonishing film that moves at its own pace, and we follow along through complete mesmerization. While a great exhibition of Japan, Drive My Car feels impressionable on all walks of the Earth that watch it since life and death unite us all, and the stillness of the world during both times of grief and exaltation is ever so present here. Drive My Car is a film that I loved upon release, but I only continue to feel stronger and stronger about it as time goes on. It is one of the year’s finest works, and the best film of this category (which was already full of stiff competition).
What I want to win: Any of these films would delight me for different reasons if they won, but I’ll not chicken out and be safe. I’ll pick Drive My Car.
What I think will win: Drive My Car. It is nominated for three massive awards (for its screenplay, its direction, and Best Picture for crying out loud). I honestly don’t think any other film, as great as they may be, stands a chance here.
Tune in tomorrow for our next Academy Award category! We’re reviewing every single nominee on every weekday.
Andreas Babiolakis has a Masters degree in Film and Photography Preservation and Collections Management from Ryerson University, as well as a Bachelors degree in Cinema Studies from York University. His favourite times of year are the Criterion Collection flash sales and the annual Toronto International Film Festival.