10/09/2015 - Van Ginkel’s second feature has become an Oscar hopeful, while trio of directors Job, Joris and Marieke dream of a second nomination

The Paradise Suite [+see also:
film review
trailer
film profile] by Joost van Ginkel and (Otto) by Job, Joris & Marieke have been chosen as the two Dutch Oscars submissions. While the former is hoping to enter the race in the Best Foreign-language Film category, the latter is the Dutch submission in the Animated Short Film category.

The second feature written and directed by van Ginkel, The Paradise Suite has become an Oscars hopeful ahead of its Dutch premiere, which is scheduled to take place within weeks at the Netherlands Film Festival (read more). The film is also part of the Dutch contingent winging its way to the 40^th Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), which opens today (read more). Local theatrical distribution is scheduled for 29 October.

Co-produced by Dutch outfits PRPL and Bastide Film along with GötaFilm, Film i Väst (Sweden) and KaBoAl Pictures (Bulgaria), The Paradise Suite is a multicultural ensemble piece featuring an international cast and following six characters from different backgrounds, all based, voluntarily or not, in Amsterdam. 

Animated short (Otto) brings together the directorial trio of Job, Joris & Marieke, whose previous short A Single Life competed for an Academy Award earlier this year. (Otto), which is also part of the TIFF programme, tells the story of a woman who is unable to have children and decides to steal a little girl’s imaginary friend, keeping it a secret from her husband.

The film was established under KORT!, a joint project initiated by public broadcaster NTR, the Netherlands Film Fund and the Media Fund, whose aim is to stimulate the production of Dutch short films. 

The nominees for the 88^th Academy Awards will be announced on 14 January 2016. The ceremony will take place on 28 February, in Los Angeles.