Argentina - The German Doctor
Despite receiving lukewarm reviews at the Cannes Film Festival, the third feature by director Lucia Puenzo (XXY) sure has what it takes to make it a strong contender in the eyes of the Academy: children and Nazis! Far from exploitative though, it is the tale of a family that inadvertently encounters the former Third Reich doctor Josef Mengele during a trip through the desert.
Brazil - Neighboring Sounds
Former critic (and 2012 Dirk Diggler Rising Star Trophy winner) Kleber Mendonça Filho’s debut had a stellar run in international festivals before hitting Brazilian screens and being lauded by local critics as a cultural landmark. The deceptively simple story of a street in the city of Recife and its residents provides the perfect canvas for an exploration of contemporary Brazil’s urban life and social conflicts.
Chile - Gloria
An official selection of the Berlin Film Festival - where Paulina Garcia took home a Silver Bear for best actress -, the third film by Sebastián Lelio (The Sacred Family, The Year of the Tiger) scored some very good reviews with its portrayal of a lonely fifty-something divorced woman who spends her time reaching for gratification in singles parties before engaging in a relationship with an ex-naval officer.
Colombia - La Playa DC
Colombian cinema has attracted a lot of attention lately, and one of the reasons was the good reception of Juan Andrés Arango Garcia’s debut in Cannes 2012. La Playa DC focus on an Afro-Colombian teenage barber apprentice and his two brothers as they try to make ends meet in Bogotá.
Dominican Republic - Who’s the Boss?
This light romantic comedy by first-time director Ronni Castillo tells the story of a cocky ladies man (Frank Perozo, also a producer) that meets his female counterpart in Natalie, a seductress who doesn’t care for long-time commitments.
Ecuador - Porcelain Horse
The first feature by newcomer Javier Andrade and the big winner of this year’s Cine Las Americas festival in Texas is the third film ever submitted to the Oscar race by Ecuador. It tells the story of a young man involved in a love affair with his childhood sweetheart - now married to another man - and his struggles with his addicted brother who plays in a rock band.
Mexico - Heli
One of the most talked about Mexican films of the year and the winner of the Golden Palm for best director in Cannes 2013, Amat Escalante’s third feature managed to beat some strong competition to claim the spot as its country submission to the Academy. Eric Ortiz Garcia wrote about its unforgettable images and flawed script here.
Peru - The Cleaner
Adrián Saba’s debut feature has an intriguing synopsis: during an outbreak in the city of Lima, Eusebio, a lonely middle-aged forensic cleaner, finds an orphan boy and tries to reach his relatives. As time passes and no relatives are found, they start to develop a bond.
Uruguay - Anina
A big winner at this year’s Bafici, the first film by director and children’s books illustrator Alfredo Soderguit will try to get a double achievement on January 16: being the first Uruguayan feature nominated (since 1992’s beautiful A Place in the World was disqualified) and the second animation ever to get a spot in the five nominees for foreign language film (the only one so far was Waltz with Bashir, back in 2008).
Venezuela - Breach in the Silence
This drama helmed by brothers and first-time directors Andrés and Luis Rodriguez tells the story of a deaf teenager who, after years of working hard to provide for her younger brothers while being neglected by her mother and abused by her stepfather, finally decides to make a stand.