For years the Oscar category for Best International Film has been more interesting than even Best Picture. A real war is fought year after year and 2024 is no exception. Our heart favorite is Totem although he didn't make it this far. What Bayona does in The Snow Society It takes our breath away, but the Academy's sensibility might lean toward the moving simplicity of Perfect Days.
The Snow Society – Spain (CP Prediction)
The chronicle of the days and hours of the survivors of the Andes, those young people who in the seventies survived a plane crash in the middle of the snowy mountains. A survival story that seems incredible except because everything, absolutely everything, happened in real life.
In favor: Bayona creates the definitive film about this famous accident that continues to surprise everyone and everyone to this day. The level of detail is monumental, Bayona even filmed in the Valley of Tears (place where the accident occurred) and the preparation work for filming was titanic. All this without the film losing the human factor. The recipe that the Academy loves.
Against: This is the third time that this story has been made into a film (Survivors of the Andes from 1976 and They live! in 1993), which would probably raise the eyebrows of some Academy members.
Io Capitano – Italy
Two teenagers, Seydou and Moussa, leave Dakar with the dream of reaching Europe to have a better life. All this in a tone that refers to the Homeric odyssey.
In favor: It is a story of migration and triumph of the human spirit in a truly moving story. It's the kind of thing the Academy loves. In addition, the film won the Best Film award in Venice.
Against: Although the director, Matteo Garrone, has won awards at Cannes (the Grand Prix in 2012 with his film reality), had never been nominated for an Oscar. Furthermore, practically all the others in the Oscar category for Best International Film arrive with more inertia and “noise” than this one.
Perfect days – Japan
Hirayama is an old janitor who works cleaning bathrooms in the new film by German director Wim Wenders. One day his niece arrives who has run away from home. Thanks to this we are getting to know the life and past of this man who, regardless of his humble life, is happy thanks to his passion for books and rock music.
In favor: We don't know a single person who has seen this movie and isn't moved beyond measure. The Academy is particularly sensitive to this type of film.
Against: This is a David who faces two Goliaths: the small humanist strip against the howitzer that is The Snow Society and that fine razor that represents Area of interest.
Area of interest – United Kingdom
The family of an important Nazi general lives in an idyllic place: a swimming pool, green meadows, a huge house, all surrounded by a wall that on the other side protects the horror of an infamous place called Auschwitz.
In favor: Suggest horror without showing it, terrify with the sound and memory of a horror that we did not experience but that we know occurred. Do not play with forgetfulness in times where neo-Nazism is still in force. All of these are issues that go beyond cinema and therefore it seems difficult for the Academy to want to ignore them.
Against: It is possible that from a certain point of view the issue is too controversial for the Academy to want to get into trouble.
The teachers' lounge – Germany
Teacher Carla (Leonie Benesch) loves teaching her class to the students, but when one of them is suspected of theft, Carla does not side with the school authorities who seek to accuse without evidence. On the contrary, she is willing to get to the bottom of the matter, even if it causes a serious problem with her fellow teachers.
In favor: The film won five awards at the German Film Awards, including Best Film, Best Director, Best Actress, Best Screenplay and Best Editing, as well as two awards at the Berlin Film Festival. If it weren't for the competition this year, this could bode well for the Best International Film Oscar.
Against: Without a doubt it is the weakest link in this chain. Although the film has a mix of suspense and moving drama, there are at least two films among the nominees that play on the same field and are definitely superior. The nomination is the prize.
Alejandro Alemán Film critic with 16 years of experience. Co-founder of Filmsteria! He currently writes for Eje Central, El Universal and Cinepremiere. He became a fan of the vodka martini because of 007.