The feature-length animated film by directors Lauris and Raitis Abele 'God's Dog,' nominated for the American Academy Award 'Oscar,' did not make the shortlist of nominees and thus exited the race for this award, reports LETA.
The American Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced the shortlists in 12 categories on December 16. The film 'God's Dog' did not make the list of nominees.
The film was submitted in the category of 'Best International Feature Film.'
It was previously reported that Latvian film producers submitted three feature films for consideration this year: the narrative film 'Elevated' by director Juris Kursietis, Maris Martinsons' film 'The Singing Land,' and the animated film by the Abele brothers 'God's Dog.'
The submitted films were reviewed by an expert commission established by the National Film Center (NFC) and approved by the American Academy. The commission included the chair of the Latvian Union of Cinematographers Marta Bite, the state secretary of the Ministry of Culture Dace Vilson, film critic Daira Abolina, head of the Latvian Animation Association Sabine Andersone, producers Matiss Kaja and Uldis Cekulis, as well as the head of the NFC Dita Rietuma.
The world premiere of the film 'God's Dog' took place in early June at the Tribeca Festival in New York. According to the NFC, the film has been described in professional film publications as 'unexpectedly bold and innovative.' It is made using the rare technique of rotoscope animation and tells the story of mystical events in Livonia in the 17th century.
Among the arguments presented by the expert commission of Latvia, an important role was played by the fact that it is precisely due to the 'unusual animation' that Latvia has already made a name for itself in the context of the Oscar, and such an opportunity should be strategically utilized. The producer of the award-winning film 'The Flow' Matiss Kaja also expressed the opinion that in the global animation context, 'God's Dog' has the potential to be noticed and attract interest from a wide audience.
The first Latvian film nominated for the American Academy Award was 'The Child of Man' by director Janis Streics in 1991. Last year, the animated film 'The Flow' by director Gints Zilbalodis was nominated for the Oscar, which won the award in the category of 'Best Animated Feature Film.'
Leave a comment