09/09/2011

The independent expert jury appointed by German Films to select the German entry for the foreign language Oscar has selected Wim Wenders' Pina [+see also:
trailer
interview: Wim Wenders
film profile], making it the first documentary feature to compete for Germany in this category.

The jury commented: “Pina is a cinematic synthesis of the arts, harmoniously combining dance, music and film and thereby going beyond the purely documentary aspect. The film conveys a sensual experience of dance and is an exquisite portrait of one of the greatest German artists.”

Wenders and producer Gian-Piero Ringel are delighted: "After having ventured a lot with Pina and going into new 3D territory, the great success in Germany as well as the admissions and reviews in all of Europe are a huge reward. Now, being allowed to represent Germany as the submitted candidate for the Oscars is a great honour. We have a good distributor in the US, IFC, and they will release the film just before Christmas, which is optimal timing for an Oscar nomination."

The film was released in German cinemas on February 24 by NFP marketing and distribution and has since then sold more than 450,000 admissions.

Pina was awarded the German Film Award in the category of Best Documentary as well as the German Documentary Film Prize. It has screened at numerous international film festivals, and IFC Films is showing it at the most important North American events, Telluride, Toronto and New York.

The five finalists for the foreign language Oscar will be announced by the AMPAS (the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences) on January 24. The official Academy Awards ceremony will take place on February 26.