MovieChat Forums > Ieri, oggi, domani (1964) Discussion > Another RIDICULOUS Academy Award..

Another RIDICULOUS Academy Award..

posted 16 years ago by JimmyCagney
15 replies | jump to latest

I always found it funny that the Academy awarded this stupidity with the Best Foreign Language Award. I don't think it's funny anymore..
I just realised that among the other nominations of 1964 was Teshigahara's "WOMAN IN THE DUNES"...it's ridiculous and outrageous!!

I know De Sica was always one of the beloved children in Hollywood and obviously I know that the majority of the movies and persons awarded with an Oscar weren't worth of their title, but I trully believe this must be one of the most stupid decisions.

Is there anyone who has watched both movies and really approves the Academy's choise? I really wonder..

[–] don-lockwood 14 years ago

I have not, but can we bring THE UMBRELLAS OF CHERBOURG into the conversation? Like Dunes, and unlike Yesterday, it was nominated that year and then again for more Oscars the following year.

The foreign film category in particular is often not voted on merit but rather popularity and mainstream appeal.

[–] vanguard59 14 years ago

08/07/10

I approved the Academy's choice.

This is all i really wanted to say. However one may try to challenge my taste or credentials.

Here I go.

I can Speak Italian, German, Spanish, Japanese and some Arabic and Latin.

I am a very successful, artist, designer, writer and doctor (medicine that is). I am a musician and have studied film for over 35 years.

My patients include many people in the film industry. Legally I can not divulge their names.

You probably think that Lucas and Spieiberg are "Cool".

[–] inoldhollywood 13 years ago

You're not alone. I enjoyed this film very much. It's also a product of it's time. Back in 1964 we loved glamor and we needed escapism. This was great fun. You don't have to give your credentials. Even if a film is considered "lightweight" it can still resonate with you somehow. There is something to be enjoyed in almost every film.

"Forget it Jake, it's Chinatown!"

[–] ofumalow 13 years ago

Preferring one movie over another is not something you need to trot out your entire life resume to justify. Personal taste isn't something you must qualify for.

[–] inoldhollywood 13 years ago

Nicely said... I totally agree. Good point!

"Forget it Jake, it's Chinatown!"

[–] stevenvh 13 years ago

Your credentials don't mean a thing! First, you don't need credentials to form an opinion. But secondly they don't show that you have more knowledge/understanding about film than the next man. Does speaking Japanese? No. Does being an MD? No. Does treating/knowing people in the film industry? No!

--
Rome. By all means, Rome.

[–] vanguard59 13 years ago

Stevenvh:

When a person can speak mu;ltiple languages, they do not not have to rely on innacurrate subtitles which do not always comeup in the context of the film.

If by my degree I treat people in the film industry, I may know what has gone on behind the scenes. Something that the average person will never know.

I DO Know MORE about film than the average person, just by what I had stated.

You read like a jealous prig!

Jusy keep watching Lucas/ Speilberg predigested crap!

[–] charonelson 12 years ago

Your "critique" is not about the movie. "It" is about you, Lucas and Spieiberg [sic].

[–] maydom04 13 years ago

I have only watched this film, and thus can't give an opinion on which One I would prefer.

Having said that, I must disagree strongly with your negative opinion of this film : it is a beautiful, funny, perceptive and wonderful film experience, and very worthy of it's Oscar win.

[–] Tashtago 12 years ago

I am a plumber, reindeer herder, saxophone player, baseball short stop,and Abraham Lincoln expert with a long list of friends and associates who speak between us almost every spoken language except those native to the Balkans. I can say in all sincerity that there has never been a more deserving Academy Award given to a striptease than the one placed on the podium for this wonderful striptease I mean foreign film.

[–] skiddoo 12 years ago

I'm a slinger turned singer turned dancer turned rancher turned parson turned sheriff. Because I live in the Old West I've never seen a movie. :)

[–] jvaughan2 11 years ago

It seems that no one here answered the OP's original question.
I have seen WITD and it does deserve the Award over this film.
To the rest of you I'd suggest quit playing around on IMDB and catch some more great films (Like WITD).

I liked this film. It just is not "best picture" category compared with others that year.

[–] melinda2001 10 years ago

I agree with all of your points. This film was fine but WITD was amazing. I don't think it should have beat out WITD but Hollywood doesn't care very much for foreign films, and for the longest time the nominations and awards had seemed largely arbitrary to me. I feel that awards are based more on merit in recent years but Americans still have very little interest in foreign films.

[–] el_cochino55 10 years ago

Thanks for answering the original question. I have not seen the other movie,but did fast forward through YTT the other night. I saw this movie in '64 at a drive in, and remember little about the movie other than the Sophia Loren striptease and MM's reaction to it. How can anyone take their eyes off that woman whenever she's on the screen? I'm thinking he should get at least an honorary Academy award for his body o work.

[–] JoeKulik 9 years ago

"Film will only become an art when its materials are as inexpensive as pencil and paper."-J Cocteau

Some people, apparently the person who started this thread being one of them, seems to view a film looking for what they do not like about it. Some people, including myself, view a film looking for what they do like about it.

It's greatly a matter of the viewer's mid set and attitude before he views a film, any film.

I like to look at any film as sort of a "gift" from the filmmaker, and as any well mannered and gracious person would do, I try to accept that gift with gratitude and consideration for the "gift bearer". I try to give the gift bearer the benefit of the doubt, even before I unwrap the gift, here before I view the film. I've found that this attitude on my part as a hardcore film fanatic has made me more open to experience the fullness of the film for what it is, to be open to allow the film change me in some way as a person, as a any work of art can change a person, if that person will only allow it a chance to do so.