There is a movie that you may want to see, to understand your potential love interest from Eastern Europe better. And it’s on the radar for the next giant event in Hollywood.
The next Oscars ceremony will take place in Los Angeles on March 4, 2018, where the project of Russian director Andrey Zvyagintsev “Loveless” is likely to be represented alongside the group of worthy foreign films from Sweden, Germany, Chile and other countries.
So far Zvyagintsev’s latest creation has been getting nominations in the most prominent awards of 2017 and 2018 and scored over a dozen prizes: 28 nominations and 13 wins, as according to IMDB. In Cannes it won the Jury Prize.
Russian movie shortlisted for Oscars 2018
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences selectors had to go through over 90 submissions–potential candidates for nominations in the Best Foreign Language Film category. After much deliberations the shortlist of 9 foreign motion pictures has been revealed.
The recent Golden Globes included 5 foreign projects including Zvyagintsev’s film “Loveless”, but the award went to German creation “In the Fade”.
However, some critics believe that ‘Loveless’ has a good chance to score the top prize at Oscars 2018. Jack Shepherd from Independent.co.uk considers the movie to be a leader of the pack. For instance, the movie has already won the Los Angeles Film Critics Association Award. If anything, the Russian film is likely to make it to the top 5 and be nominated for the most prestigious award in the movie industry.
Although the Russian audience doesn’t particularly approve of Zvyagintsev’s viewpoints, which are deemed overly gloomy, the creative elite is excited about a local project advancing in the most important award ceremonies of the world.
‘Loveless’ points to problems of the modern Russian society, portraying it as a place where individuals struggle to connect.
By now, only 9 movies are left of the shortlist of potential 2018 Oscars nominees for the Best Foreign Language Film award. The announcement of 5 top choices will be made on 23 January 2018.
‘Loveless’ by Andrey Zvyagintsev: The storyline
In literal translation from Russian, the movie’s name sounds as “Non-love” (Nelyubov).
However, the team decided to choose “Loveless” as the English title.
The storyline is related to common family problems and difficulties that individuals often try to avoid facing.
‘Loveless’ focuses on the story of two people who used to be in love. Zhenya and Boris struggle to resolve a family drama, which leads to unavoidable and expectable divorce. Unfortunately, both ought to experience pain alongside indignations and despair.
In the midst of their disputes, the couple forgets about their son Alyosha, who is only 12 years old. He is not the centre of his parents’ attention, both of whom are planning to build completely new lives.
One day, when the boy unexpectedly becomes a witness of a heated argument between parents, he suddenly disappears. The only way forward for the couple is to team up to find their son.
“Represented events are accompanied by particular historical background. In the first place, the plot focuses on the regular life of a middle-class family from Moscow in October 2012 when they are full of hope and positivity realizing the whole life is right here awaiting for them to enter. On the other hand, the plot turns out to set in 2015, the time when disappointment and aggression can be felt,” the director explained.
Zvyagintsev is not shy to criticize the Russian government and he has a huge support abroad.
In his recent interview to Deadline, Zvyagintsev said that the films he creates are about the reality, the stories are shown the way they ought to be told to other people.
Photo: Deadline.com
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Why not ? After the now classical “Moscow does not believe in tears”, another Russian film could well be primed. I have not yet watched it, but it seems it is rather hard and the story is sad and without hope, something reflecting the actual life.
I was cut to the heart with Zvyagintsev’s Leviathan. Hope his new film will be appealing. Besides the title itself has a strong sense. The plot suggests a common problem, but it might be a new interpretation
“Loveless” by Zvyagintsev managed to make it to Top-5 in Oscars. A couple of strong contenders from the top-9 have not made it to nominations — winner of Golden Globe “In the fade” didn’t make it, for instance.
Here are the top 5 foreign language films nominated for 2018 Oscars:
“A Fantastic Woman” (Chile)
“The Square” (Sweden)
“The Insult” (Lebanon)
“On Body and Soul” (Hungary)
“Loveless” (Russia)
According to critics, the top 2 are the strongest contenders. But let’s wait and see! 🙂 Being nominated for an Oscar is already an honor for a foreign language movie.