October 8, 2007–Nikita Mikhalkov, whose Burnt by the Sun won the foreign language film Oscar in 1995, will represent Russia for the fourth time with latest picture 12.
Mikhalkovs feature is a remake of Sidney Lumets 1957 court drama 12 Angry Men. In Mikhalkovs version, the jurors debate the fate of a Chechen man accused of murdering the Russian officer who adopted him.
The film screened in competition at the 2007 Venice Film Festival, where Mikhalkov received a special Golden Lion for his body of work.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences will announce the foreign language film nominations on January 22. The Oscar ceremony takes place Feb. 24.
Colombia and Chile have selected pictures from newcomers to represent them in the foreign language Oscar race.
Colombia has picked Andres Baizs horror pic Satanas (Satanas: Profile of a Killer), based on a novel by Mario Mendoza. Pic is produced by Proyecto Tucan, Rio Negro and Dynamo Capital. L.A.-based the Little Film Co. handles international sales.
Rodrigo Sepulvedas sophomore effort, the family drama Padre nuestro (“Our Father”), will represent Chile. Primer Plano Group and exec producer Alejandro Burr of Caco handle international sales.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences will announce the foreign language film nominations on January 22. The Oscar ceremony takes place Feb. 24.
