I heard today that France has declined to submit The Diving Bell and the Butterfly as its entry for the Foreign Language Oscar because, although the film is set in France and the actors all speak French, the director is American.
This could mean the film has a better chance at a Best Picture nomination, as that is now its sole chance at a major Oscar. Or it will wind up getting screwed completely.
The film France has chosen to submit, ironically, is Persepolis, a film about an Iranian girl. I’m not sure if it would be the first animated film nominated for Best Foreign Film, but it would certainly be the first in awhile. Then the question becomes whether or not it will also be nominated for Best Animated Film.
Meet Me In Montauk 
I continue to be intrigued by the struggle regarding how to characterize films such as these. Should Apocalypto be considered a foreign language film simply because Mel Gibson chose to film in the native language, despite the fact that both he and the producers behind the film are American? I know that the category is foreign language film, but it seems to me that is just the Academy’s way of keeping the British out 😛 In reality, the films that have traditionally been nominated have been foreign films, films imagined and created in a foreign country. Therefore, I agree with France’s decision to choose a film other than The Diving Bell and the Butterfly to represent their country, despite Shnabel’s astute decision to film in France, in French and using French actors. I do hope that their snub allows the film a chance at the big prize instead.
This could well be the best picture of the year then. I really want to see this movie,the reviews have been outstanding.