International film Oscar shortlist: Pakistan makes it into the race for the first time with “Joyland”; No big cuts

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences today announced the shortlist of 15 films entering the nomination process for the Academy Award for Best International Film. As we previously reported, it was a year without a real frontrunner, and all the films in our preview made it. See the full shortlist below.

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While there were no shocking comments on the AMPAS shortlist, there was one film we weren’t sure about, India’s entry. Last show, who did it. This is the first time that India has been shortlisted since then lagan was nominated 20 years ago. Along with that of Pan Nalin last show, a testament to the entire Indian market is that another film, RRRhas been recognized by US authorities in other categories.

To reveal more interesting details, this is the first time a film from Pakistan has made it to the list. Said Sadiqs joy land debuted at Cannes as the first ever Pakistani film in the Official Selection and won the Jury Prize in Un Certain Regard. It was then subject to a censorship ban in its home country, which was later lifted.

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Elsewhere Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritus Bardo, false chronicle of a handful of truths is in the mix for Mexico, marking its third time on the shortlist.

Here is the full list of the 15 shortlisted candidates, in alphabetical order by country:

argentina, Argentina, 1985
Austria, corsage
Belgium, near
Cambodia, Return to Seoul
denmark, Holy Spider
France, Holy Omer
Germany, No news from the western front
In the, Last show
ireland, The quiet girl
mexico, Bardo, false chronicle of a handful of truths
morocco, The blue caftan
Pakistan, joy land
Poland, E.O
south korea, decided to go
Sweden, Cairo Conspiracy