Many people were of the opinion that 2021 was the year we had the best shot at the Oscars, and making it as one of the five finalists for the Best International Feature Film Academy Award — if not winning it. Jallikattu had the hopes of a billion plus people pinned on it, and it was garnering tons of appreciation by the critics viewing and analysing the contenders. But alas, India’s hopes have been dashed. The Academy announced the shortlist of fifteen contenders for the Best International Feature Film Oscar last evening, and unfortunately, Jallikattu is not one among those.
The seminal Malayalam film has an astonishing premise that unfolds over the events of one treacherous night. A buffalo destined to be slaughtered has cut loose and unleashed havoc in the village. The entire village gets into motion to hunt down the buffalo, and in doing so, lays bare the cruelty inherent in man as a species. The movie is directed by Lijo Jose Pellissery, with arresting cinematography by Girish Gangadharan.
Jallikattu is one of the best jewels to emerge from the new wave of brave, experimental cinema that has caught on in the Indian film industry. A lot of people, us included, thought that if any movie could bring home the Oscars for India, it is Jallikattu that can. Now that Jallikattu is out of the Oscars race, we’ll have to wait before an Indian filmmaker comes up with an equally brilliant piece of work. The nation lives in hope.
In the meanwhile, here are the films that made it to the 15-film Oscars shortlist for the Best International Feature Film Academy Award –
Bosnia and Herzegovina, “Quo Vadis, Aida?”
Chile, “The Mole Agent”
Czech Republic, “Charlatan”
Denmark, “Another Round”
France, “Two of Us”
Guatemala, “La Llorona”
Hong Kong, “Better Days”
Iran, “Sun Children”
Ivory Coast, “Night of the Kings”
Mexico, “I’m No Longer Here”
Norway, “Hope”
Romania, “Collective”
Russia, “Dear Comrades!”
Taiwan, “A Sun”
Tunisia, “The Man Who Sold His Skin”