Paolo Strippoli's “The Stranger” will represent Italy at the 99th Academy Awards in the Best Foreign Language Film category.
This decision was made by the Committee established by Anica on behalf of the Academy and composed of Giorgio Carlo Brugnoni, Cristina Comencini, Federica Lucisano, Francesco Melzi D'Eril and Niccolò Vivarelli.
"A new genre film by a young director," the citation reads, "who has recently begun his career and has been praised by audiences and critics alike."
So, there's no way out for "Quasi Grazia," the film about Nobel Prize-winning writer Grazia Deledda, directed by Peter Marcias and among the 21 films competing to represent Italy. Starring Laura Morante, Irene Maiorino, Monica Demuru, Gala Martinucci, and Roberto Citran, and based on the novel by Marcello Fois, the film received positive reviews from critics and audiences in Italian theaters and will now be released in Australia and other European countries.
"The Stranger" continues its race for the shortlist of the fifteen best international films selected by the Academy, which will be announced on December 15th. The announcement of the five final nominations is scheduled for January 21st. The Oscars ceremony will be held in Los Angeles on March 14th.
(Unioneonline)