Best Director
(names are in parentheses)
(names are in parentheses)
"The Diving Bell and the Butterfly" (Julian Schnabel): When fashion editor Jean-Dominique Bauby suffers a stroke at the age of forty-five, he is left almost completely paralyzed. As he attempts to reconcile himself to his devastating condition, Bauby draws on his imagination to create a vivid inner world without limitations, and--able to communicate only by blinking his left eye--begins the daunting task of dictating a book.
"Juno" (Jason Reitman)
"Michael Clayton" (Tony Gilroy; he's also up for Original Screenplay)
"No Country for Old Men" (Ethan and Joel Coen; the brothers are also up for Adapted Screenplay and Film Editing and already have Original Screenplay for "Fargo)
"There Will Be Blood" (Paul Thomas Anderson; also up for Adapted Screenplay)
"Juno" (Jason Reitman)
"Michael Clayton" (Tony Gilroy; he's also up for Original Screenplay)
"No Country for Old Men" (Ethan and Joel Coen; the brothers are also up for Adapted Screenplay and Film Editing and already have Original Screenplay for "Fargo)
"There Will Be Blood" (Paul Thomas Anderson; also up for Adapted Screenplay)
Foreign Language Film
"Beaufort" (Israel): In the days leading up to Israel's withdrawal from Lebanon in 2000, the soldiers stationed at the mountaintop outpost of Beaufort live under a barrage of constant attacks. Frustrated by the knowledge that they are risking--and often losing--their lives in defense of a fortress that will soon be abandoned, the men struggle to do their duty while grieving for their dead comrades and preparing for the evacuation.
"The Counterfeiters" (Austria): In the Sachsenhausen concentration camp, a group of prisoners with skills ranging from finance to forgery are put to work under the direction of a master counterfeiter manufacturing perfect replicas of foreign bank notes. As the Nazis plot to cause the collapse of the U.S. and British economies by flooding their markets with false bills, some of the prisoners use delaying tactics to forestall the plan.
"Katyn" (Poland): This account of the events surrounding the 1940 massacre of captured Polish army officers in the Katyn Forest focuses on the story of a captain and his wife, who refuses to believe he is dead. A gesture of friendship within the harsh confines of the prison camp where Andrzej and his fellow officers are held will result in the mistaken identification that helps keep his wife's hopes alive.
"Mongol" (Kazakhstan): In twelfth-century Mongolia, nine-year-old Temudgin, who will grow up to become the warrior known as Genghis Khan, must flee his home shortly after choosing the spirited Borte as his bride when his father is murdered and a rival seizes power. With the help of his blood brother, tribal prince Jamukha, the adult Temudgin battles his rivals and works to unite the region's warring clans under his authority.
"12" (Russia): Twelve Russian jurors deciding the fate of a young Chechen accused of murdering his adoptive Russian father go over the details of the case in the school gymnasium that is serving as their jury room. As they argue with each other while struggling to reach a verdict, illustrating their views with stories from their own lives, the case itself becomes a metaphor for the problems plaguing modern Russian society. Russia's fifth Foreign Language nomination with one win in 1995 ("Burnt By the Sun"), though when they were part of the Soviet Union they had nine nominations with three wins in 1969, 1976, and 1981.
"The Counterfeiters" (Austria): In the Sachsenhausen concentration camp, a group of prisoners with skills ranging from finance to forgery are put to work under the direction of a master counterfeiter manufacturing perfect replicas of foreign bank notes. As the Nazis plot to cause the collapse of the U.S. and British economies by flooding their markets with false bills, some of the prisoners use delaying tactics to forestall the plan.
"Katyn" (Poland): This account of the events surrounding the 1940 massacre of captured Polish army officers in the Katyn Forest focuses on the story of a captain and his wife, who refuses to believe he is dead. A gesture of friendship within the harsh confines of the prison camp where Andrzej and his fellow officers are held will result in the mistaken identification that helps keep his wife's hopes alive.
"Mongol" (Kazakhstan): In twelfth-century Mongolia, nine-year-old Temudgin, who will grow up to become the warrior known as Genghis Khan, must flee his home shortly after choosing the spirited Borte as his bride when his father is murdered and a rival seizes power. With the help of his blood brother, tribal prince Jamukha, the adult Temudgin battles his rivals and works to unite the region's warring clans under his authority.
"12" (Russia): Twelve Russian jurors deciding the fate of a young Chechen accused of murdering his adoptive Russian father go over the details of the case in the school gymnasium that is serving as their jury room. As they argue with each other while struggling to reach a verdict, illustrating their views with stories from their own lives, the case itself becomes a metaphor for the problems plaguing modern Russian society. Russia's fifth Foreign Language nomination with one win in 1995 ("Burnt By the Sun"), though when they were part of the Soviet Union they had nine nominations with three wins in 1969, 1976, and 1981.
Animated Feature Film
"Persepolis": For young Marjane and her family, the overthrow of the Shah of Iran at first seems to be the longed-for beginning of a free and democratic future for their country. With the election of a conservative Islamic government, however, the little girl finds her life changed dramatically as increasing political repression and the restriction of women's freedom lead her parents to the decision to send Marjane to Austria to complete her education.
"Ratatouille": Remy the rat longs to exercise his talents as a gourmet chef and gets the chance when he finds himself in a famous Parisian restaurant after becoming separated from his family during an escape through the sewers. When his secret improvements to the restaurant's food are mistakenly attributed to Linguini, the garbage boy, the two team up to form an unlikely culinary partnership that will benefit them both. Producer Brad Bird's last Animated Feature win was in 2005 for "The Incredibles."
"Surf's Up": As surfing penguins converge on the tropical isle of Pen Gu for a contest among the world's top competitors, television coverage of the event profiles the contestants and provides a history of the sport. For young Cody Maverick, who is preparing to take on his rival, Tank, the competition offers a chance to learn some valuable lessons about riding the waves from surfing legend, Big Z. The Academy must love penguins for some reason; they gave out Documentary Feature for "March of the Penguins" in 2006 followed by "Happy Feet" taking Animated Feature the following year.
Tomorrow night, Oscar Preview Week concludes with Best Picture and my predictions on who will take Oscar home. So long and stay strong!
"Ratatouille": Remy the rat longs to exercise his talents as a gourmet chef and gets the chance when he finds himself in a famous Parisian restaurant after becoming separated from his family during an escape through the sewers. When his secret improvements to the restaurant's food are mistakenly attributed to Linguini, the garbage boy, the two team up to form an unlikely culinary partnership that will benefit them both. Producer Brad Bird's last Animated Feature win was in 2005 for "The Incredibles."
"Surf's Up": As surfing penguins converge on the tropical isle of Pen Gu for a contest among the world's top competitors, television coverage of the event profiles the contestants and provides a history of the sport. For young Cody Maverick, who is preparing to take on his rival, Tank, the competition offers a chance to learn some valuable lessons about riding the waves from surfing legend, Big Z. The Academy must love penguins for some reason; they gave out Documentary Feature for "March of the Penguins" in 2006 followed by "Happy Feet" taking Animated Feature the following year.
Tomorrow night, Oscar Preview Week concludes with Best Picture and my predictions on who will take Oscar home. So long and stay strong!
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