The foreign-language Oscar race has begun: South Korea is the first country to announce its choice. The selection, Kim Tae-gyun’s Crossing (Keurosing), a drama about a North Korean defector, has already caused controversy.
“Crossing” has been accused of plagiarism by local helmer Lee Kwang-hoon, who has applied for an injunction preventing the film’s continued release. Camp B denies the charge.
The Korean Film Council (Kofic) will select another contender if “Crossing” is found guilty when the issue comes to court.
The movie beat four other contenders on the shortlist: “The Good the Bad the Weird,” “Forever the Moment,” “Sunny,” and “The Chaser,” which plaued in Cannes Festival Midnight Section.
The seven members of the jury said “Crossing” was the appropriate contender considering the characteristics of past winners and the traditional preferences of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
This year, the Academy has invited 96 countries to submit films for foreign-language Oscar consideration. Deadline for submission is October 1, 2008. The nominations will be announced January 22, 2009 and the award ceremony takes place on February 22, 2009.
