TORONTO — Xavier Dolan‘s acclaimed film Mommy was chosen Friday to represent Canada as a possible contender in the Best Foreign Language Film category at the Academy Awards.
The film, which screened to raves at film festivals in Cannes and Toronto, will be submitted for consideration to the Oscars.
A shortlist of nine films will be announced by the Academy in early January and the five films that will compete in the category will be named on Jan. 15.
The Oscars will be handed out Feb. 22.
“We have high expectations for Mommy and we hope that it goes all the way,” said producer Nancy Grant, in a statement.
Mommy is the story of a widow (Anne Dorval) struggling to raise her son (Antoine Olivier Pilon), a troubled teenager. Together, they try to make ends meet with the unexpected help from a mysterious neighbour (Suzanne Clement).
Dolan has said he originally envisioned making Mommy in English.
Eight Canadian films have been nominated in the past, including Rebelle (War Witch), Monsieur Lazhar and In Darkness. The 2004 film The Barbarian Invasions is the only Canadian film to win.
Canada’s submission to the Academy is selected by a committee of 23 voting members of Canada’s film industry and coordinated by Telefilm.
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