'Paprika' is still in this Oscar derby — really!
A lot depends on whether "Paprika" is in this Oscar running or not. A while ago the academy cited it as being among the 16 films potentially eligible for the category of best animated feature. Sixteen is a crucial number. If any of those potential contenders falls out, Oscar rules say that the number of nominees in the category must drop from 5 to 3.
Reports abound that "Paprika's" release has been bumped from 2006 to next March, April or — the latest rumor — May. Sony Pictures Classics' own awards site feeds the misconception by not citing it as a kudos contender (CLICK HERE). It wasn't mentioned at the Golden Globes where the new category for animated fare only listed three titles.
However, a studio rep insists that Satoshi Kon's anime feature about a dream machine has already had its qualifying run, so the rumors are wrong and the issue is settled. The reason "Paprika" wasn't in the running for a Globe was simply because foreign films with English subtitles aren't eligible.
(Photo: Sony Pictures Classics)
I posted this link in an earlier comment about the Best Original Song eligibility list, showing that "Paprika" had its LA qualifying run about a month ago (ironically in response to my own attempt to question its appearance on the Original Song shortlist):
http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2006-11-21/paprika-screening-in-la-this-week
Armando: What he's saying is that foreign-language films aren't eligible at the Globes for any category other than Best Foreign Language Film; that's why "Letters from Iwo Jima" and "Apocalypto" weren't eligible for the main best-picture Globes. That's not an issue at the Oscars; in addition to their narrower criteria for Best Foreign Language Film ("Letters" and "Apocalypto" are ineligible as U.S. productions, and Japan named "Hula Girls" as its film, not "Paprika"), foreign-language films are eligible for ordinary Oscars just like any other film, unless the film was nominated for Best Foreign Language Film in the year BEFORE its LA qualifying run.
Posted by: RBBrittain | December 22, 2006 at 12:00 PM
"The reason "Paprika" wasn't in the running for a Globe was simply because foreign films with English subtitles aren't eligible."
huh?
Posted by: Armando (Caracas, Venezuela) | December 22, 2006 at 04:48 AM