It’s official: Germany is entering Maren Ade’s Cannes breakout “Toni Erdmann” into the Oscar race. The film has been submitted for consideration in the best foreign-language film category for the 2017 Academy Awards, Variety reports.
An independent jury composed of German industry insiders picked Ade’s third feature from a long-list of eight films. This decision comes as no surprise given the film’s resounding success with both audiences and critics: “Toni Erdmann” is a box office hit in Germany, and was just awarded the 2016 International Federation of Film Critics (Fipresci) Grand Prix for best film of the year.
The story follows Ines Conradi (Sandra Huller), a businesswoman whose life is upended when her estranged father (Peter Simonischek) pays her an unexpected visit in Bucharest.
The jury lauded the film for its depiction of “universal topics like social isolation and the challenge of interpersonal integrity.”
“I am very happy that the jury is sending ‘Toni Erdmann’ into the Oscar race and am anxious to see how Toni behaves in Los Angeles,” Ade said in a statement.
Ade has previously spoken out about gender inequality in the film industry. “There are not enough women directing films,” she observed. “In Germany, we have this discussion now about a quota system … and I think we should try it, because concerning the public money, it should be equal.”
“Toni Erdmann” is the first woman-directed feature to be submitted by Germany for Oscar consideration in the best-foreign language film category since Caroline Link’s “Nowhere in Africa.” The 2001 drama about a Jewish family that immigrates to Kenya after fleeing Nazi Germany competed in the 2002 Academy Awards and won.
Sony Pictures Classics snagged the U.S. distribution rights to “Toni Erdmann.” The film will be released in theaters December 25, but you can catch it at TIFF in September and NYFF in October.