Tobias Lindholm and Nordisk Film's drama "A War" made it through to the next round in the voting process in the Foreign Language Film category. The Academy chose the nine titles for their shortlist from a field of 80 films from around the globe. Next step is for the Academy to choose the five nominees, which will be announced on 14 January. The 88th Academy Awards fest will take place in Los Angeles on 28 February.
These nine films landed on the Oscar Foreign Language Film shortlist:
Belgium, "The Brand New Testament" dir. Jaco Van Dormael
Colombia, "Embrace of the Serpent" dir. Ciro Guerra
Denmark, "A War" dir. Tobias Lindholm
Finland, "The Fencer" dir. Klaus Härö
France, "Mustang" dir. Deniz Gamze Ergüven
Germany, "Labyrinth of Lies" dir. Giulio Ricciarelli
Hungary, "Son of Saul" dir. László Nemes
Ireland, "Viva" dir. Paddy Breathnach
Jordan, "Theeb" dir. Naji Abu Nowar
"A War" illuminates the consequences of war on all its participants. We follow company commander Claus Michael Pedersen, played by Pilou Asbæk, and his men who are stationed in an Afghan province. Back in Denmark, Claus' wife Maria is trying to hold everyday life together with a husband at war and three children missing their father. During a routine mission, the soldiers are caught in heavy crossfire and in order to save his men, Claus makes a desicion that has grave consequences for him and his family back home.
Read our interview with Tobias Lindholm: Consequences of War
"A War" made its world debut in the Venice Film Festival's Orizzonti competition to widespread critical acclaim and has since toured the festival circuit, making its US premiere at the AFI Fest in November. Opening in Danish theatres in September to equally enthusiastic reviews, the film is next off to Palm Springs Festival in January, an important stepping stone in the Awards Season leading up to Oscar night in February.
"A War" is written by Tobias Lindholm and produced by Tomas Radoor and René Ezra for Nordisk Film, with Studiocanal handling international distributions rights.
More
10 Years of Oscar
Danish Oscar Entries Feature Films
/ By awards ceremony year
2016 A War / Tobias Lindholm / Oscar shortlist
2015 Sorrow and Joy / Nils Malmros
2014 The Hunt / Thomas Vinterberg / Oscar nomination
2013 A Royal Affair / Nikolaj Arcel / Oscar nomination
2012 Superclásico / Ole Christian Madsen / Oscar shortlist
2011 In a Better World / Susanne Bier / Oscar winner
2010 Terribly Happy / Henrik Ruben Genz
2009 Worlds Apart / Niels Arden Oplev
2008 The Art of Crying / Peter Schønau Fog
2007 After the Wedding / Susanne Bier / Oscar nomination
2006 Adam's Apples / Anders Thomas Jensen
2005 The Five Obstructions / Jørgen Leth and Lars von Trier
See full list of Danish Oscar films
A War
Company commander Claus Michael Pedersen and his men are stationed in an Afghan province. Meanwhile, back in Denmark, Claus' wife Maria is trying to hold everyday life together with a husband at war and three children missing their father. During a routine mission, the soldiers are caught in heavy crossfire and in order to save his men, Claus makes a decision that has grave consequences for him - and his family back home.
