Oscar Predictions: Belén

Dolores Fonzi directs, cowrites, and stars in the true life Argentinian legal drama Belén which premiered in its native country earlier this fall. An Amazon Prime bow is planned stateside in the near future. The supporting cast includes Camila Pláate, Laura Paredes, Julieta Cardinali, and César Troncoso.

Selected as Argentina’s hopeful for Best International Feature Film, it is among the six contenders for Foreign Language Film at the Critics Choice Awards (a bit of a surprise nominee). It will attempt to become the nation’s fifth Oscar nominee of the 21st century behind 2001’s Son of the Bride, 2009’s The Secret in Their Eyes (which won), Wild Tales from 2014, and 2022’s Argentina, 1985.

The 94% Rotten Tomatoes rating is encouraging, but the 70 Metacritic is more telling. Belén would need to leap some serious competitors that could lock down nods beyond IFF including Sentimental Value, It Was Just an Accident, The Secret Agent, No Other Choice, and Sirât. That could be a tall order, but this category has had unexpected inclusions before. My Oscar Prediction posts will continue…

Oscar Predictions: Kill the Jockey

Luis Ortega’s Kill the Jockey is out in its native country of Argentina today after premiering at the Venice Film Festival and screening in Toronto. The sports dramedy stars Nahuel Pérez Biscayart, Úrsula Corberó, and Daniel Giménez Cacho.

Every review on Rotten Tomatoes is fresh at 100% but the degree of praise varies. Argentina has picked it as their horse for International Feature Film at the 97th Academy Awards. In the 21st century, the country has seen one victor in that category (2009’s The Secret in their Eyes). Other nominees are Son of the Bride (2001), Wild Tales (2014), and Argentina, 1985 (2022).

Jockey might make the shortlist, but I’ve yet to even list it in the top 10 candidates for a nod. It could be a sneaky pick and I wouldn’t totally discount it. It certainly won’t win and I’m skeptical it places or shows. My Oscar Prediction posts will continue…

Oscar Predictions: The Delinquents

The three-hour heist dramedy The Delinquents from Argentina premiered at Cannes and has been traveling the fest circuit (Toronto, New York) since. From writer/director Rodrigo Moreno, it stars Daniel Elias and Esteban Bigliardi and is out in limited release this week.

Argentina has seen four of their efforts make the International Feature Film five in the 21st century: 2001’s Son of the Bride, 2009’s The Secret in Their Eyes (which won), 2014’s Wild Tales, and last year’s Argentina, 1985 (which may well have been runner-up to All Quiet on the Western Front).

With an 87% Rotten Tomatoes rating, don’t be surprised if this makes the shortlist in IFF. I’m more skeptical this becomes the fifth Argentinian entry to make the final cut. My Oscar Prediction posts will continue…

Oscar Predictions: Argentina, 1985

Focused on the brave legal battle against the title nation’s brutal dictatorship, Argentina, 1985 premiered at the Venice Film Festival prior to its limited release Friday. An Amazon Prime streaming release is October 21st. The historical drama comes from director Santiago Mitre with a cast including prolific Argentine star Ricardo Darin, Peter Lanzani, Alejandra Flechner, and Norman Briski.

Reviews from Italy were strong and it stands at 92% on Rotten Tomatoes. The native country has unsurprisingly selected it as their submission for International Feature Film at the Oscars. In 2009, Argentina’s The Secret in Their Eyes won that race. Their last nominee was 2014’s Wild Tales. 

The international race already has some potential heavy hitters like Decision to Leave, All Quiet on the Western Front, and Close. Yet 1985‘s initial reaction makes it a possibility to make the eventual quintet. My Oscar Prediction posts will continue…