27/08/2009

The independent expert jury, which was appointed by German Films to select the German entry to compete for the Oscar for best foreign language film, has decided under the chairmanship of Alfred Hürmer to submit the film The White Ribbon [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Michael Haneke
film profile] by Michael Haneke.

The jury on its decision: "The White Ribbon convinces through its narrative and aesthetic quality as well as its extraordinary characterisation of a village community in Germany at the beginning of the 20th century."

The production by Berlin-based X-Filme Creative Pool (producer: Stefan Arndt) in co-production with Wega Film, Les Films du Losange and Lucky Redl be released by X VerleihGerman cinemas on September 17.

Stefan Arndt on the jury's decision: "Seldom was I so pleased about a committee's decision. We will now do everything to convince the Americans of our wonderful film."

The White Ribbon had already been able to convince the jury, audience and the critics at this year's film festival in Cannes and came away with the Golden Palm, one of the internationally most respected film awards.

Sony Pictures has secured the rights for the USA and plans to open the film in the US cinemas in February 2010. The film rights were already sold worldwide to over 30 territories.

The White Ribbon was funded by Medienboard Berlin-Brandenburg, MDM, German Federal Film Board (FFA), Minitraité, German Federal Film Fund (DFFF), Austrian Film Institute (ÖFI), Vienna Film Fund (FFW), Ministère de la culture et de la communication and Eurimages.

On February 2, 2010, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) will nominate from among the national entries those five films taking part in the final selection to compete for the OSCAR for best foreign language film. This year, around 100 countries have submitted entries for the much sought-after trophy.

The official OSCAR ceremony takes place on March 7, 2010.