Movie about German expat’s life in Bucharest enters competition for the Oscar

The movie Toni Erdmann, which focuses on the life of a German expat working in Bucharest, is among the five movies shortlisted for the Oscar for best foreign film in 2017.

The movie directed by German filmmaker Maren Ade and co-produced by Romanian Ada Solomon, was awarded the International Federation of Film Critics (FIPRESCI) for best movie in the official competition at Cannes Film Festival this year.

Toni Erdmann tells the story of an eccentric, prank prone retired father, who decides to surprise his daughter with a visit. She is a career woman doing corporate strategic consulting for an important project in Bucharest. The movie focuses on the difficult relationship between the two and the challenges of expat life.

German actors Peter Simonischek and Sandra Hüller have the leading roles. Several Romanian actors also play in the movie, including Vlad Ivanov, Ingrid Bisu, Alexandru Papadopol, Ozana Oancea, Cezara Dafinescu, and Victoria Cociaș.

The movie was almost entirely shot in Bucharest, where its action takes place.

Toni Erdmann’s competitors are A Man Called Ove (Sweden), Land of Mine (Denmark), The Salesman (Iran), and Tanna (Australia).

The musical La La Land starring Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone got 14 nominations for this year’s edition of the Oscars, a record in the history of the famous event.

The winners of this year's Oscar awards will be announced on February 26. The gala will also be broadcast in Romania.

The nominees for the 89th edition of the Oscars are:

Best film: Arrival, Fences, Hacksaw Ridge, Hell or High Water, Hidden Figures, La La Land, Lion, Manchester by the Sea, Moonlight

Best director: Denis Villeneuve (Arrival), Mel Gibson (Hacksaw Ridge), Damien Chazelle, (La La Land), Kenneth Lonergan, (Manchester by the Sea), Barry Jenkins, (Moonlight)

Best actor in a leading role: Casey Affleck (Manchester By The Sea), Andrew Garfield (Hacksaw Ridge), Ryan Gosling (La La Land), Viggo Mortensen (Captain Fantastic), Denzel Washington (Fences)

Best actress in a leading role: Isabelle Huppert (Elle), Ruth Negga (Loving), Natalie Portman (Jackie), Emma Stone (La La Land), Meryl Streep (Florence Foster Jenkins)

Best actor in a supporting role: Mahershala Ali (Moonlight), Jeff Bridges (Hell Or High Water), Lucas Hedges (Manchester By The Sea), Dev Patel (Lion), Michael Shannon (Nocturnal Animals)

Best actress in a supporting role: Viola Davis (Fences), Naomie Harris (Moonlight), Nicole Kidman (Lion), Octavia Spencer (Hidden Figures), Michelle Williams (Manchester by the Sea)

Best animation film: Kubo and the Two Strings, Moana, My Life as a Zucchini, The Red Turtle, Zootopia

Best adapted screenplay: Arrival, Fences, Hidden Figures, Lion, Moonlight

Best original screenplay: Hell or High Water, La La Land, The Lobster, Manchester by the Sea, 20th Century Women

Holocaust drama featuring Romanian actor wins Oscar for best foreign film

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