Bob Sharka’s Top Ten Foreign Films

Austria; FOR A MOMENT FREEDOM

Chile; DAWSON, ISLA 10

Denmark, TERRIBLY HAPPY

Finland; LETTERS TO FATHER JACOB

France; THE PROPHET

Germany; THE WHITE RIBBON

Hungary; CHAMLEON

Japan; NOBODY TO WATCH OVER ME

The Netherlands; WINTER IN WARTIME

South Africa; WHITE WEDDING

SWEET SIXTEEN

Argentina; THE SECRET IN THEIR EYES

Belgium; THE MISFORTUNATES

Bulgaria; THE WORLD IS BIG AND SALVATION LURKS AROUND THE CORNER

Poland; REVERSE

Switzerland; HOME

Taiwan; NO PUEDO VIVIR SIN TI

TOP TWENTY

Australia; SAMSON AND DELILAH

Israel; AJAMI

Slovakia; BROKEN PROMISE

Turkey; I SAW THE SUN

65 Foreign Films vie for Oscar in 2010

By Bob Sharka, Executive Director, Friends Of Film

To be fair, it’s pretty difficult even seeing close to all 65 as some films have only a couple of L.A. screenings, if any at all – so I’ll supplement this report as local invites come in and we return from the Palm Springs International Film Festival – a foreign film lover’s nirvana.

CHAMELION (Hungary) – billed as a thriller – and indeed a great one – but with tons of laughs too.  Hollywood should take note of filmmaker Kristzina Golda’s little gem, a fast paced, beautifully lensed work with one of the best casts and tightest scripts in recent memory…….a must addition to the short list for 2010 and, I’m thinking, could this be my first nominee???

DONKEY (Croatia) – I can hear the jokes now but resist the temptation to judge a film by its title.    Estranged relationships between father and son usually make for great drama.  May sneak in as the last picture in the short list.

GRANDFATHER IS DEAD (Phillipnes)) – Families, most of us know, deal with death in different ways…a  film that could have easily been set in the Greek or Italian cultures – and would  play equally well – but a long-shot at best

WARD #6 (Russia) – Based on the Chekov story where the asylum director becomes a patient….Russia continues to make strides.

DAWSON, ISLA 10 (Chile) – Some of Allende’s  former staff become POW’s in Sept ’73 and are taken to  Dawson Island where they overcome harsh conditions, maintaining  their inner strength.  This film stands on its own as a serious contender.  Filmmaker Miguel Littin is no stranger to the Academy as he’s been nominated twice before.   Don’t kid yourself; THAT alone helps.

FOR A MOMENT, FREEDOM (Austria) – Three separate refugee groups in search of freedom wind up in Turkey with dreams of getting to Europe.   A two-tissue film that brings out the full emotional gamut.  It has a legitimate shot at really appealing to the Academy voters…

WINTER IN WARTIME (The Netherlands)  - A savvy distributor may want to take a chance on this little gem…..from the opening frame to the last, a riveting picture....one of the best films on war-time occupation I can think of.

NO ONE TO WATCH OVER YOU (Japan) – Can you imagine if we were held accountable for our family’s actions?  Japan’s entry – a shortlister for sure – tackles this difficult topic as killer’s families – so embarrassed and harassed – will often take their own life as there are hounded by the press…..should the police protect them?  Pack of couple of tissues for this film.....ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL.... a must see

REVERSE (Poland) – Stick a note of the fridge to check this one out at the Friends Of Film screening on Dec 12 (11am, Santa Monica, Laemmle)  Comedy, farce, dark? – yes, yes, yes.  Someone, please, give this little slice of heaven, shot in wide black and white, a one-week run to see if has the legs…

BACKYARD (Mexico) – Corruption in Mexico?  Say it ain't so! 

I SAW THE SUN (Turkey) – Beautifully shot, for sure but a real long shot after that....

TERRIBLY HAPPY (Denmark) – The Coen brothers meet Rod Serling - Ever hear the expression, "You can run but you can't hide"? - Well, you can run but you can't hide. 

AJAMI (Israel) – Following up last year’s Oscar nominee - WALTZ WITH BASHIR - is a tough call…..stranger things have happened, though...but not this year!

THE WHITE RIBBON (Germany) –  Germany has a long tradition in this foreign film category and is no stranger to going to the parties (and home) with a Golden Boy in hand….major distribution deals don't hurt either....
 
PROTECTOR (CZECH REPUBLIC) – 100:1 odds on this making the Acad's short list - if I were a betting man, I'd throw a 10 spot down, though, just to make things interesting.

Bob Sharka will be announcing his "short list" late December - to be considered for this list, please add to your screening invite list or submit DVDs/press kits to the address below.

Bob Sharka
Friends Of Film
1137 Charm Acres Place
Pacific Palisades, CA 90272
Bob@FriendsOfFilm.com