The shortlists for the 93rd Academy Awards in nine categories were announced on Feb. 9. In the Best International Feature Film (formerly known as Best Foreign Language Film) category, Taiwanese film A SUN(陽光普照, 2019), directed by Chung Mong-Hong(鍾孟宏), was selected as one of 15 films to advance to the next round of voting for nomination. It has been nine years since another Taiwanese film WARRIORS OF RAINBOW: SEEDIQ BALE(賽德克巴萊) earned the shortlist spot for Best Foreign Language Film in 2012.Mr. Lee Yung-te(李永得), Taiwan’s Minister of Culture, extends his congratulations to A SUN, stating that he is proud of the film being shortlisted by the Academy and looks forward to it to win the award.
As a profound dark drama, A SUN is praised for its memorable and moving portrayal of parent-child relations, and highly acclaimed by international film festivals, such as Toronto International Film Festival, Busan International Film Festival, Tokyo International Film Festival, and Asian Film Awards. This January, the Houston Film Critics Society named A SUN Best Foreign Language Feature of 2020. In Taiwan, A SUN scooped 4 top prizes at the 2019 Golden Horse Awards, including Best Feature Film, Best Leading Actor, Best Supporting Actor, and Best Film Editing.
Taiwan has submitted contenders for the Best International Feature Film category since 1957, with three Taiwanese movies previously nominated. These were Ang Lee(李安)'s THE WEDDING BANQUE(喜宴, 1993), EAT DRINK MAN WOMANE(飲食男女, 1994), and CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON(臥虎藏龍, 2000), which eventually took home the trophies for Best Foreign Language Film, Best Art Direction, Best Original Musical Score, and Best Cinematography at the 73rd Academy Awards.
The Oscar nominations will be revealed on March 15. The Academy Awards ceremony will be held on April 25.
photo courtesy of 3 NG Film