2018: Foreign Language Film Shortlist: ‘The Square,’ ‘In the Fade’ In; ‘BPM,’ Angelina Jolie Snubbed

The nine films that will compete for the Foreign Language Film Oscar have been revealed and it’s never without huge surprises. While many films, such as Russia’s Loveless, Israel’s Foxtrot and Germany’s In the Fade made the cut, high-profile films BPM (from France) and Angelina Jolie’s First They Killed My Father (from Cambodia) did not find themselves on the shortlist.

Europe, South America, the Middle East and Africa are all represented this year. South Africa’s The Wound is on the list as well as surprise choice Félicité from Senegal. No country from greater Asia is represented this year. We correctly predicted six of the nine films and did correctly predict the snub for BPM.

For the last two months members of branches of the Academy have been watching the record-setting 92 releases in competition with the general committee putting forth six nominees and the executive committee offering three. While it’s never known exactly which films are sent forward by the general committee or the executive one, it’s likely that The Square, Loveless and possibly Félicité benefited from that executive save. Unlike in years past, voting on the nine finalists to make Oscar’s top five is now open to all members who agree to see the nine films, adding many more voters than before.

Oscar nominations are announced on January 23, 2018 and from the final list the entire membership of the Academy votes for the winner.

Here is the full shortlist of nine films.

Chile, “A Fantastic Woman,” Sebastián Lelio, director

Germany, “In the Fade,” Fatih Akin, director;

Hungary, “On Body and Soul,” Ildikó Enyedi, director

Israel, “Foxtrot,” Samuel Maoz, director

Lebanon, “The Insult,” Ziad Doueiri, director

Russia, “Loveless,” Andrey Zvyagintsev, director

Senegal, “Félicité,” Alain Gomis, director

South Africa, “The Wound,” John Trengove, director

Sweden, “The Square,” Ruben Ostlund, director