India’s official entry to the Oscar’s ‘Rang De Basanti’ has lost out in the race for the Best Foreign Film in the short-list ahead of nominations for the category. However, all is not lost as Canada’s official entry ‘Water’, directed by Indian filmmaker Deepa Mehta, has made the cut.
Eight other films are still in the race, including Pedro Almodover’s ‘Volver’ (Spain), Guillermo Del Toro’s ‘Pan’s Labyrinth’ (Mexico) and ‘The Lives of others’ (Germany).
Among the short-listed, five will be nominated for the Oscar’s on January 23. Says Deepa, “From what I am led to believe the committee found the film showed strength in every aspect of the artistic spectrum - from the script to the acting, the cinematography, the music, the set design, the costumes and of course, the overall direction.”
In a press release, the committee has apparently praised Deepa’s film, saying, “This is Mehta’s richest and most complex film to date. It is the work of a humanist, made with incredible tenderness and true concern for the plight of all her characters.’
“Every filmmaker will tell you that is always an intense and consuming struggle to complete a film. ‘Water’ may have faced a lot of challenges, but ultimately it is all worthwhile,” adds Deepa.
John Abraham, who is shooting in Uzbekistan, said, “I am happy. ‘Water’ is very Indian in its subject. That makes me even more proud.”
Eight other films are still in the race, including Pedro Almodover’s ‘Volver’ (Spain), Guillermo Del Toro’s ‘Pan’s Labyrinth’ (Mexico) and ‘The Lives of others’ (Germany).
Among the short-listed, five will be nominated for the Oscar’s on January 23. Says Deepa, “From what I am led to believe the committee found the film showed strength in every aspect of the artistic spectrum - from the script to the acting, the cinematography, the music, the set design, the costumes and of course, the overall direction.”
In a press release, the committee has apparently praised Deepa’s film, saying, “This is Mehta’s richest and most complex film to date. It is the work of a humanist, made with incredible tenderness and true concern for the plight of all her characters.’
“Every filmmaker will tell you that is always an intense and consuming struggle to complete a film. ‘Water’ may have faced a lot of challenges, but ultimately it is all worthwhile,” adds Deepa.
John Abraham, who is shooting in Uzbekistan, said, “I am happy. ‘Water’ is very Indian in its subject. That makes me even more proud.”