The United Kingdom, fresh off an Oscar victory for Jonathan Glazer’s “The Zone of Interest,” has chosen Sandhya Suri’s Hindi-language crime thriller “Santosh” to represent the nation in the Best International Feature category at the upcoming Academy Awards. The decision was made by the British Academy’s selection committee following the film’s premiere at the Cannes Film Festival earlier this year.
“Santosh,” directed by British-Indian filmmaker Suri, known for her documentaries “I for India” and “Around India with a Movie Camera,” is set in rural northern India. The plot centers around a newly-widowed woman named Santosh who inherits her late husband’s job as a police constable and finds herself embroiled in the investigation of the murder of an underage girl from a lower caste.
The film stars Shahana Goswami in the lead role, with support from Sunita Rajwar. Notable contributors behind the scenes include Luisa Gerstein who provided the score, Lennert Hillege on cinematography, and Maxime Pozzi-Garcia handling the editing. Produced by a team including James Bowsher, Balthazar de Ganay, and Alan McAlex, the film was co-financed by several companies, including Good Chaos and Razor Film Produktion.
Internationally, Italy has announced its entry for the Oscar race: “Vermiglio” by Maura Delpero. This intimate epic set at the end of World War II in an Alpine village won the Silver Lion Grand Jury Prize at the Venice Film Festival. The film explores the disrupted lives of three sisters upon the arrival of a soldier, capturing a poignant portrait of pastoral life in the Italian Alps.
“In the Arms of the Tree,” representing Iran, offers a stark contrast set against the backdrop of its national cinema’s constraints. Directed by Babak Khajeh Pasha, the drama delves into a family in crisis, reflecting broader societal issues often found in Iranian cinema. This film, along with other entries from countries like France and Mexico, showcases the diverse themes and narratives that are being explored in cinema across the globe.
Meanwhile, Mexico has selected “Sujo,” directed by Astrid Rondero and Fernanda Valadez, a poignant drama that follows a young boy’s traumatic inheritance of violence from his father, a slain cartel gunman. This film has already garnered attention at Sundance and other international festivals, marking another strong contender in the race.
As countries around the world nominate their best for the international features category, the diverse lineup of films offers a window into the varying storytelling traditions that define and distinguish global cinema today. These films not only compete for the prestigious Oscar but also highlight important cultural narratives from around the globe, bringing international issues and stories to the forefront of Hollywood’s award season.