The Best Foreign Language Film category has four countries that have previously been nominated and one that received its first nomination. This year the category seems to be predictable but anything goes especially when no film dominated the precursor awards and the Academy decided to nominate obscure films over the more obvious choices. Past winners include Austria's "Amour," Iran's "A Separation," and Denmark's "In a Better Life."
"The Broken Circle Breakdown" - Belgium - The nomination marks Belgium's third time in the category. Previous nominees include "Bullhead" and "Everybody Famous." "The Broken Circle Breakdown" had one of the most successful festival runs last year premiering in Berlin and Tribeca. It was later nominated for the European Film Award and also won the Washington DC Film Critcs' Best Foreign Film award. The film has been a strong contender but since it lost to "The Great Beauty" at the EFA it is unlikely to win the Oscar this year.
"The Great Beauty" - Italy - Paolo Sorrentino's latest film marks the 28th nomination for Italy, which has won 10 Foreign Film awards. "The Great Beauty" competed at the Cannes Film festival and later went on to win the European Film Award for Best Film and a Golden Globe. The film was also nominated for the British Academy Awards and also won the highest honors in Italy. While it seems like the front-runner after the Golden Globe win, the Italian movie has yet to sweep the category.
"The Hunt" - Denmark - Thomas Vinterberg's latest film received the 10th nomination for Denmark. The country has already won three awards and is looking for a fourth accolade. "The Hunt" competed at the Cannes Film Festival in 2012 where it won the Best Actor award. It was later nominated for the BAFTA and the Golden Globe and won four precursor awards. The film also swept the Danish Academy Awards. However, the fact that has it lost every major award does not look good for the movie.
"The Missing Picture" - Cambodia - The nomination marks Cambodia's first nomination ever in this category. The nomination is one the biggest surprises of the year as the Academy usually does not choose documentaries for this category. The film won the Un Certain Regard sidebar at the Cannes Film Festival and later went on to be screened at the New York Film Festival and Toronto Film Festival. Having already surprised with the nomination and the unpredictable nature of this category, Cambodia may be looking at its first Oscar.
"Omar" - Palestine - The nomination marks the second for Palestine. The country was previously nominated in 2005 for "Paradise Now." "Omar" was another surprise in the category as the film was not expected to be nominated. The Hany Abu-Assad film won at the Cannes Film Festival and later went to be screened at the New York and Toronto Film Festivals. Like "The Missing Picture," the movie hasn't won any big awards but anything can happen.
Prediction: "The Great Beauty" seems like the prefect and most ideal choice but the fact that no film dominated this category this year signifies that a surprise can occur.