The German film ALL QUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT by Edward Berger starring co-producer Daniel Brühl as well as Albrecht Schuch and Felix Kammerer, is on the shortlist of the last 15 films for the 95th Oscars® in the Best International Feature Film category and in the categories Music Original Score for
Volker Bertelmann, Sound, Makeup & Hairstyling and Visual Effects. The Netflix hit is also longlisted for 15 BAFTAs, including Best Non-English Language Film, Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay and acting award options for Felix Kammerer and Albrecht Schuch.
The following German co-productions also made it into the next round:
for Austria:
CORSAGE by Marie Kreutzer (AT/LU/DE/FR Komplizen Film co-pro) starring Vicky Krieps
for Cambodia: RETURN TO SEOUL by Davy Chou (FR/BE/DE)
for Denmark: HOLY SPIDER by Ali Abbasi (DK/DE/FR/SE)
On January 24, 2023, the Academy will reveal which five of the 15 films on the shortlist will be going forward to take part in the competition for the Oscar® in this category. A total of 92 countries submitted films to the race.
ALL QUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT was selected as Germany's entry for the Best International Feature Film category by an independent selection committee appointed by the industry and marketing body German Films. The film is based on the renowned German anti-war novel, a classic of world literature from 1928, its authenticity and power drawing upon Erich Maria Remarque's own experiences in the trenches. ALL QUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT tells the gripping story of a young German soldier on the Western Front of World War I. Paul and his comrades experience first-hand how the initial euphoria of war turns into desperation and fear as they fight for their lives, and each other, in the trenches.
Even a century later, the story set in 1918 has lost none of its power and relevance. As the first German-language screen adaptation, the story is told from the German point of view of the war occupying a relevant position in the confrontational tone of the current discourse since no other society has succumbed to its destructive impulses as often as Germany did. There are no heroes in war, no victors, only lost innocence and dashed hopes. The utter futility, the losses suffered and the danger posed by blind nationalism and random separation is a message that the film aims to convey to the world as a clear anti-war film.
The film had its world premiere as a Special Presentation at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 12, 2022. The European premiere was held as a gala premiere during the Zurich Film Festival. Netflix cooperated with distribution partner 24 Bilder for the film’s nationwide theatrical release in Germany and opened in US cinemas in October before it headed to Netflix.
Oscar or not, the film is a huge success, currently holding 7 awards and 24 nominations: ALL QUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT was already awarded with European Film Awards for European Make-up & Hair and Visual Effects. Edward Berger, Lesley Paterson and Ian Stokell won Best Adapted Screenplay at the prestigious National Board of Review. The film also received a Golden Globes Award® nomination in the category "Best Picture – Non-English Language."
The Oscar® awards ceremony will be held on March 12, 2023 at the Dolby® Theatre in Hollywood.
source: German Films
image: courtesy Amusement Park © Reiner Bajo
