Michaël R. Roskam’s debut feature Bullhead made it to the shortlist of nine features that are still in the running for a nomination in the Academy Awards' Foreign-language category. The news was announced by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. On 24 February, the organisation will announce the five nominees. Bullhead is one of the 64 films that were submitted in this category.
It's now up to the 30-member executive committee of the Academy to screen all nine films and select the five nominees: 20 will see all films in Los Angeles while the other 10 will gather in a private screening room in New York.
Since its world premiere in January 2010, Bullhead has scored big both nationally and internationally. While the dark and unsettling story of loyalty and friendship became a number one hit at the local box office (with over 460,000 admissions), Roskam’s feature film has now won close to 25 awards worldwide. Bullhead’s success also launched lead actor Matthias Schoenaerts’ career on an international level.
Both the director and producer Bart Van Langendonck (Savage Film) are thrilled about Bullhead being shortlisted for the Academy Awards. ‘We never expected to come this far’, says Van Langendonck. ‘Off course, you keep hoping and start believing in the film’s chances especially after some rave reviews in the US. But still… who would have guessed this a year ago?’
After attending this year’s Palm Springs International Film Festival where he was lauded as one of Variety’s 10 Directors to Watch, director Roskam is still in the States. If Bullhead is nominated for the Oscars next week, he will be facing another intensive promotion round to keep the buzz going. Schoenaerts will then probably join him on his promotional tour. Bullhead received support from the Flanders Audiovisual Fund (VAF), among others.