It’s Oscar fever once again… and this time around India’s official entry for the golden statuette is a rather odd entry with the Geetu Mohandas helmed road drama ‘Liar’s Dice’.
The film follows Kamala, a young woman from Chitkul village, and her girl child Manya, who embarks on a journey leaving her native land in search of her missing husband. Along the way, she meets Nawazudin, a free-spirited army deserter who helps them to get to their destination with his own selfish motive.
Other films in the running to be sent as India’s entry included ‘Mary Kom’ and ‘2 States’ among other critically acclaimed films like ‘Queen’, ‘Shahid’ and the Marathi film ‘Fandry’.
A record 83 countries have submitted titles for next year’s foreign language film Oscar – seven more than the record set this year. Having previously dabbled in Malayalam documentaries, Mohandas decided that her first full-length feature film – about the lives of migrant workers – would be in Hindi.
Kosovo, Malta, Mauritania and Panama are first-time entrants. Canada’s entry ‘Mommy’ at this point is a favourite by some to not just be nominated but also win. The film was well received at the Cannes Film Festival earlier this year.
Belgium’s ‘Two Days, One Night’ is another favourite and also got a strong reception at the Cannes. Even though ‘Blue Is the Warmest Colour’ was eligible this year, France chose to send ‘Saint Laurent’ instead.
The 87th Academy Awards nominations will be announced live on 15 January, 2015, at the Academy’s Samuel Goldwyn Theater. The Oscars will air on 23 February, 2015 on Star Movies and in the US on ABC. The show will take place at the Dolby Theatre at Hollywood and Highland Center in Hollywood.
The Oscar presentation also will be televised live in more than 225 countries and territories worldwide.
