Canada has selected Kim Nguyen’s “War Witch” (aka “Rebelle”) as its entry for the Best Foreign Language Oscar. Telefilm Canada chairs the pan-Canadian Oscar selection committee that chose the film.
The film’s star, Rachel Mwanza, won Best Actress at Berlin and at Tribeca, where the film also won Best Narrative Feature. Mwanza stars in a brutal tale of child soldiers in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where the film was shot. Tribeca is releasing the film.
Says Nguyen, “After 10 years in development and a production marked by many adventures that have provided me with everlasting memories of the Congo and its people, this recognition warms my heart.”
Canada has had six nominated films in the Oscar race for Best Foreign Language film since 1971, of which three were directed by Denys Arcand: “Jesus of Montreal,” “The Decline of the American Empire” and its sequel, “The Barbarian Invasions,” which won. (Arcand’s “Days of Darkness” was also shortlisted for the Oscar, but was not nominated.) Deepa Mehta’s “Water,” Denis Villeneuve’s “Incendies” and Philippe Falardeau’s “Monsieur Lazhar” also earned nominations.
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