Oscar® Race: Search Begins For German Candidate 2017
The 89th Oscars® are already waiting in the wings: The film that is going to represent Germany in the competition for the Best Foreign Language Film category will be announced on 25 August 2016. An independent jury will decide on which film this will be after convening in Munich from 23 August 2016.
The following eight films were submitted by the German producers to German Films for consideration in selection:
“At Eye Level” (“Auf Augenhöhe”) by Evi Goldbrunner und Joachim Dollhopf (Martin Richter Filmproduktion, Rat Pack Filmproduktion, Westside Filmproduktion). Premiered Munich Childrens Film Festival. No ISA. Tobis has German rights. About an 11 year old boy, bullied at school, who discovers his real father is a dwarf, which makes matters worse when they move in together. (Haven’t seen, but want to!)
“Look Who’s Back” (“Er Ist Wieder Da”) by David F. Wendt (MYTHOS Film Produktions GmbH, Constantin Film Produktions GmbH, Claussen + Wöbke +Putz Filmproduktions GmbH). Netflix has U.S. and Spain, Constantin Film has Germany and Austria, Dutch FilmWorks (DFW) and Home Box Office (HBO) have Netherlands, GAGA has Japan. Trump — I mean Hitler — wakes up in the 21st century and charms people…and has a few sound commentaries about the world today. (Sounds hilarious, therefore not likely as Oscar material)
“Fog In August” (“Nebel Im August”) by Kai Wessel (collina filmproduktion, Studiocanal Film, ARRI Film & TV Services, Riva Filmproduktion). ISA: StudioCanal. Greece sold to Wierd Wave. Set against the tumultuous backdrop of war-stricken Germany, 13-year-old Ernst Loss is sent to a psychiatric hospital and soon discovers the truth behind its façade. Based upon a heart-wrenching true story. (Have not seen but must!)
“Power To Change — Die Energierebellion” by Carl-A. Fechner (fechnerMEDIA). No ISA. The future of world energy lies in decentralized, clean supplies stemming 100% from renewable sources. (This should be a documentary nomination)
“The People Vs. Fritz Bauer” (“Der Staat Gegen Fritz Bauer”) by Lars Kraume (zero one film, Terz Filmproduktion). ISA: Beta. Cohen Media will release in U.S. in August. Sold to ARP Sélection for France, Alamode Film and Alive Vertrieb und Marketing for Germany, Alfa Films for Argentina, Caramel Films for Spain, Cinéart (2016) for Benelux. About the German Attorney General who brought Eichmann to justice. (This is my prediction for an Oscar)
“The Diary Of Anne Frank” (“Das Tagebuch Der Anne Frank”) by Hans Steinbichler (Zeitsprung Pictures, Spectrum Pictures, Universal Pictures Productions). Universal Pictures International has German and Austrian rights. (I can’t even write the synopsis, so well-known is it already. I guess it is made for those who are too young to have seen the seminal film of the same name.)
“Toni Erdmann” by Maren Ade (DE/AT, Komplizen Film, Missing Link Films). Cannes Competition Winner of FIPRESCI Prize. ISA: The Match Factory sold to Sony Pictures Classics for U.S., Filmladen for Austria, Alambique for Portugal, A-One Films Baltic for the Baltics, NFP Marketing & Distribution for Germany, Bitters End for Japan, Lev for Israel, Cinema for Italy, Cirko Film for Hungary, Edko Films for Hong Kong, Film Europe for Czech Republic and Slovkia, Filmarti for Turkey, Filmcoopi Zürich for Switzerland, Future Film for Finland, Golem Distribución for Spain, Green Narae Media for South Korea, Gutek Film for Poland, Haut et Court for France, LemonTree Production House for China, Madman Entertainment for Australia, O Som e a Fúria for Portugal, Russian Report for Russia, September Film for Benelux, Seven Films for Greece, Soda Pictures for U.K., Swallow Wings for Taiwan. About a career minded woman and her funny father who is determined to divert her attention if only for a minute. (A real audience favorite, and for that reason I don’t see it getting an Oscar.)
“Stefan Zweig: Farewell To Europe” (“Vor Der Morgenröte”) by Maria Schrader (DE/AT, X Filme Creative Pool). World Premiere Locarno FF 2016. Playing in theaters in Germany since June with X-Verleigh distributing, box office $2 million up to July 31 and still playing. ISA: Films Distribution sold to France (ARP), Spain (Caramel Films), Brazil (Esfera Culturas), Denmark (Camera Film), Greece (Videorama), Portugal (Alambique), Austria (Filmladen), Hungary (Mozinet) and the countries of the former Yugoslavia (MCF Megacom). About the famed German writer’s exile during the war.(Definitely want to see it, but am not sure it’s Oscar material)
The above is not a shortlist compiled as the result of a pre-selection, but the submissions made by the rights holders without any pre-selection.
German entry for the Oscar® in the Best Foreign Language Film category is decided by a selection committee appointed each year. This committee consists of representatives from eight different trade associations and institutions active in the field of cinema. The following representatives were sent by the associations this year:
• German Producers Association: Karsten Stöter
• German Producers Alliance / Cinema Section: Katharina Rinderle
• Association of German Film Exporters: Julia Weber
• Association of German Film Distributors: Jasna Vavra
• Central Association of German Cinemas: Christoph Preßmar
• German Film Critics Association: Dunja Bialas
• German Directors Guild: Felicitas Darschin
• German Film Academy: Sven Burgemeister, Heide Schwochow
As the responsible umbrella organization, German Films is charged with the preparation and organization of the selection procedure for the German candidate who will be entered into the race for the Oscar® in the Best Foreign Language Film category.
German Films is not represented in the selection committee.
More information about the selection procedure can be found here.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) will announce a short list of the last nine films in the race for the Oscar® in the Best Foreign Language Film category on 17 January 2017.
The announcement of the five nominated films will follow on 24 January 2017.
The awards ceremony will be held in the Dolby Theater in Hollywood on 26 February 2017.
