A scene from 'Incendies'. Courtesy eOne Films.
With Denis Villeneuve’s Incendies getting an Oscar nomination this morning in the Foreign Language Film category, it becomes the fifth Canadian film to compete for the little golden statue, joining The Decline of the American Empire (1986), Jesus of Montreal (1989), The Barbarian Invasions (2003), and Water (2006). Denys Arcand’s The Barbarian Invasions did win the year it was nominated.
“This is one of the most intense nights and mornings in my life. This nomination feels like a very big Christmas gift to a 6-year-old,” Villeneuve said in a statement sent out.
Based on the play by Wajdi Mouawad, Incendies follows siblings Simon and Jeanne (Maxim Gaudette and Mélissa Désormeaux-Poulin) as they embark on a trip to the Middle East where they learn of their recently deceased mother’s disturbing past. The Toronto Film Critics Association recently gave the film its Rogers Best Canadian Film award, worth $15,000 CDN, and it was named one of TIFF’s Top 10 Canadian Films of 2010.
Will all the accolades on home turf help its odds with the Academy though? It’s up against heavy hitters Biutiful (opening in Toronto on February 11, and Vancouver and Montreal on February 25), Dogtooth (playing in Toronto on January 28), Outside the Law (Hors-la-loi), and Susanne Bier’s In a Better World, which won the Golden Globe for Best Foreign Film a few weeks ago.
We’re rooting for you Villeneuve. Now do your country proud and bring the Oscar home.
Incendies is currently playing in Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal. The 83rd Academy Awards happen February 27, 2011. They will be televised in Canada on CTV beginning at 8 p.m. ET. For a full list of nominees, visit oscars.org.
