In a recent announcement by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS), (Widely known as Oscar) Malayalam film “2018: Everyone is a Hero” has unfortunately missed the cut for the shortlist of 15 films in the international feature film category for the 2024 Academy Awards. Despite being India’s official entry for the prestigious awards, the film directed by Jude Anthany Joseph did not make it to the next round of voting.
This development leaves the field open for other entries, with films like Jonathan Glazer’s historical drama “The Zone of Interest” from the UK, Denmark’s “The Promised Land” featuring Mads Mikkelsen, and Japan’s “Perfect Days” emerging as strong contenders in the international feature film category.
The shortlist also includes entries from various countries such as “Amerikatsi” (Armenia), “The Monk and the Gun” (Bhutan), “Fallen Leaves” (Finland), “The Taste of Things” (France), “The Teachers’ Lounge” (Germany), “Godland” (Iceland), “Io Capitano” (Italy), “Totem” (Mexico), “The Mother of All Lies” (Morocco), “Society of the Snow” (Spain), “Four Daughters” (Tunisia), and “20 Days in Mariupol” (Ukraine).
Out of 88 eligible countries, these shortlisted films will now proceed to the next stage of the voting process. Despite “2018,” starring Tovino Thomas and focusing on the devastating Kerala floods in 2018, not making the cut, it’s noteworthy that the film has been a commercial success, grossing over ₹200 crore and becoming the highest-grossing Malayalam film.
The Academy also revealed shortlists for nine other categories, including original song, original score, sound, documentary feature, documentary short, animated short film, live-action short film, makeup and hairstyling, and visual effects.
India’s Oscars History
In reflecting on India’s recent history at the Oscars, it’s worth mentioning that at the 95th Academy Awards, “RRR” and “The Elephant Whisperers,” two Indian films, secured the titles for best original song and best documentary short, respectively. However, India’s official entry in the international film category, the Gujarati film “Chhello Show” (Last Film Show), fell short of making it to the final five nominations.
The last Indian film to secure a spot in the final five nominations was Aamir Khan’s “Lagaan” in 2001, which remains a significant milestone in Indian cinema’s journey at the Oscars.
As the 96th Academy Awards are scheduled to take place on March 10, 2024, in Los Angeles, the anticipation continues for the final contenders and eventual winners across various categories, showcasing the global diversity and excellence in filmmaking.