Oscar 2013 Predictions; 'Amour' Leads the Foreign Film Race with 'No' and 'A Royal Affair'

The Best Foreign Film category has always been one of the most unpredictable categories at the Oscars. However, this year looks to be different as one of the nominees, Austria's "Amour" is also nominated for Best Picture making it the front-runner to win the category. Previous winners include "A Separation," "In a Better World," "The Secret in Their Eyes," and "Departures."

Amour-Michael Haneke's latest film "Amour" is currently the front-runner to win the Foreign Film Award as it is nominated for Best Picture and Best Director as well. "Amour" started its awards race in May when it won the Palm D'Or at the Cannes Film Festival. "Amour" later went on to win four Best Picture awards including the European Film Awards, London Film Critics, National Film Critics, and the LA Film Critics. The film also won 16 Best Foreign film awards including the Golden Globes and Broadcast Film Critics. It also marked the fourth nomination for Austria which was last nominated in 2008 for "Revanche" and won in 2007 for "The Counterfeiters."      

Kon Tiki- Joachim Ronning and Espen Sandberg's film was the surprise of the nominees. The film's nominations marked the fifth nod for Norway with its last nomination in 2001 for "Elling." Norway's film was nominated for the Golden Globe but has not won any precursor awards. "Kon-Tiki" has also yet to open in the USA and has garnered mixed reaction from the critics. The film has very little chance of winning the foreign film.

No-Pablo Larrain's film marks the first nomination for Chile. "No's" awards buzz began in May when it won the Director's Fortnight award at the Cannes Film Festival. The film's buzz quieted down after Cannes and did not reenergize during awards season. The reason may have been because it  was not released in the US and therefore did not qualify for many awards. "No" has a chance of surprising at the Oscars but it is hard to stop "Amour" when it is nominated for Best Picture.

A Royal Affair-Nikolaj Arcel's period piece marks the ninth nomination for Denmark. The country has won three times with its last win in 2010 for "In A Better World." The film garnered buzz throughout awards season and obtained nominations for the Critics Choice and the Golden Globes. It also won a Satellite award for Best Costume Design. However, with no precursor awards and no additional nominations "A Royal Affair" has no chance of winning the Foreign Film Award.

War Witch-Kim Nguyen's film marked the seventh nomination for Canada. The country last received a nomination last year for Monsieur Lazhar and won its only Oscar in 2003 for "The Barbarian Invasions."  Like "Kon-Tiki "and "No,"" War Witch" has not been released in the US and therefore has garnered very little buzz. The film is nominated for the Indie Spirit Awards and won the Vancouver Film Critics for Best Canadian Film. However, it is unlikely to win the Foreign Film award at the Oscar.

Predictions: "Amour" is without a doubt the front-runner having been nominated for five Academy Awards including Best Picture.