Alice in film land?

by Vitor Pinto

29/09/2006 - Marco Martins' Alice [trailer, film focus] (see focus) has been chosen as Portugal's entry as Best Foreign Language film for the 79th Academy Awards, announced ICAM.

The film – released domestically on October 5, 2005 by Atalanta – attracted both local audiences and critics. It was seen by over 30,000 moviegoers and became last year's second most successful domestic title after The Crime of Father Amaro.

The story of a father (played by Shooting Star Nuno Lopes) who installs cameras all over Lisbon, desperately trying to find a trace of his missing daughter Alice, was also praised beyond national boundaries. Alice screened in the Cannes' Director's Fortnight, prompting the international press to emphasise its quality, and ultimately won the Youth Prize. It then went on to be nominated for the Fassbinder Award of the 2005 European Film Awards, which singles out emerging European directors.

If Alice really do go to Hollywood, it will be setting a precedent, as no Portuguese film has ever been nominated for an Academy Award. The five final nominees for the Oscar category will be announced on January 23, 2006.