I'm surprised that it was not nominated for Best Foreign Language Film of the Year at the Academy Awards, considering how it won one of the most important Oscar of the year (Best Actress), despite being a foreign language movie.
Was it a surprise when it did not get nominated? And do you think that it should have been nominated?
...do you think that it should have been nominated?Yes, I can't believe there were five better movies in that category that year. Maybe for some reason it didn't qualify for it, but that doesn't make sense.
A country can only submit one film to the Academy as their entrant for Foreign Language Film. So France may no have selected this film as it's official entry to that category. A similar thing happens with Amelie.
shareIt was the fault of France on that one (They were absolutely stupid on that one as I am sure it would have won if it was selected because a huge amount of academy voters fell in love with the film) -They decided to select the animated film "Persepolis" as their best film entry instead of la vie en rose....
shareI was totally surprised it wasn't nominated. I just found out then after reading this thread!! For once a foreign movie comes out that I loved, and it wasn't even acknowledged at the Academy, well except for the actress Oscar. Thank christ it won that
share
Correct me if I am wrong, but wasn't this movie MORE popular outside of France than in with the critics? I thought a lot of French critics did not like it as much as non-French ones.
Defender of the weak, and enemy of the weak minded.
Yes you're right. The film got mixed reviews in France, but they were a bit toned down after its international success and the two Academy Awards it won. I guess critics were not happy with the way the film is edited (flashbacks) and the Over The Top approach of the character. There are people in France who personally knew Edith Piaf (although she died in the early 60's) and who said that she wasn't at all as she was depicted in the film. That she was more subtle, loving and not as "vulgar". Basically, they said that Marion's performance was great and captivating but that it didn't match the image that the country has about Edith Piaf, that there is a huge gap between reality and the interpretation. They actually blamed the director for his point of view about the singer.
______________________________________
The higher you fly, the faster you fall.
Blame France, not the Academy. The country didn't submit it so it could not have been nominated in that category. Persepolis which was selected is an excellent film, by the way.
shareMarion gives a unforgettable performance in a weak and bureaucratic movie.
share