Santiago Mitre’s Argentina, 1985 was announced today as the only Latin American contender for Best International Film at the 95th Academy Awards, marking the eighth nomination for the South American country, giving it the opportunity to win the Oscar for the third time in this category, formerly known as best foreign-language film.
Argentina is the only Latin American country to have win the Oscar for best foreign-language twice: for Luis Puenzo’s The Official Story / La historia oficial in 1986 and Juan José Campanella’s The Secret in Their Eyes / El secreto en sus ojos in 2010.
Starring Ricardo Darín and Peter Lanzani, Argentina, 1985 is inspired by the true story of Julio Strassera, Luis Moreno Ocampo and their young legal team of unlikely heroes in their David-vs-Goliath battle in which, under constant threat, they dared to prosecute Argentina’s bloodiest military dictatorship against all odds and in a race against time to bring justice to the victims of the military junta.
The film was the surprise winner of the Golden Globe for best motion picture in non-English language a few days ago, and is also nominated for the British Academy Awards. The winners of this year’s Oscars will be announced at a ceremony on Sunday, March 12.
