The 81st Annual Academy Awards had begun its submission process, but one film is already out of the competition due to a new rule being enforced to the feature documentary category. Beginning with next year's Oscars, eligible films must have a theatrical run in New York before August 31st. As a result, the biggest buzz in the category, the animated documentary film Waltz with Bashir, will not be accepted.
Waltz with Bashir is a joint venture between Israel, Germany and France, dealing with a somber chapter of history when the Lebanese Forces massacred Palestinians in the Sabra and Shatila refugee camps back in 1982. Taking four years to complete, the film belongs in the rare genre of "animated documentary," a type of film that visualizes interviews and accounts of events using animation.
Under the old rule, a doc has to play in either New York or LA for one week, while also logging 14 three-day bookings in at least 10 states. According to Hollywood Reporter, the Academy tried to simplify the rule by requiring only a one-week engagement in New York and LA, but the fact that a New York run is now mandatory is causing problems for execs and distributors who don't want to expose said films to the NY media before their formal releases. The deadline also makes it hard to schedule a Fall release.
"It's always been disastrous to make films qualify in August," said Toronto International Film Festival documentary chair Thom Powers, one of the industryites calling for change. "The New York aspect makes it worse."
Really too bad for Waltz with Bashir. The film was very well-received at its Cannes Film Festival premiere and was heavily predicted to be the Palme D'or winner this year, but the honor went to French film The Class instead. The early Oscar talk was that it's a lock for nomination, but now it's not even qualified for it.
Below is a trailer for the film. As you can see, it's not just an intriguing true-life story and a fascinating subject for a documentary, it's also a gorgeous-looking animated film, as well. This is a must seek, for sure, and too bad it won't get the extra push it needs from the Oscar buzz.
