It is difficult for Vietnam to select its film for Oscar 2011 because highly-commented movies failed to meet the US Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ regulations, while those that satisfy regulations are not highly appreciated.

The Vietnam Cinema Administration has received the US Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ invitation letter to send a film to the Oscar 2011’s Best Foreign film competition.

Do Duy Anh, chief of Vietnam Cinema Administration’s International Relations Department, remarked that many films praised for good quality don’t have English subtitles and have not been screened at cinemas yet, so they are barred from the contest. Among them are big movies like “Step Up”, “Long Thanh Cam Gia Ca” and “Crossing Shanghai Port”.

“Giao Lo Dinh Menh” (Inferno) has been commercially screened and has English subtitles, but it may not be chosen because it is a thriller styled on famous British director Alfred Hitchcock’s movies.

“Bi, Don’t Be Afraid” and “Floating Life”, which have won several international prizes and are highly appreciated, are also rejected because they have not been screened in Vietnam.

Vietnam can choose its nominee for Oscar 2011 from the following films: “Moon at the Bottom of the Well”, “Lonely”, “Fool for Love”, “Clash”, “Inferno”, “Snow White’s Diary”, “Another Chance for Love”, “Brilliant Kisses” and “Teenage Princess and Five Weird Bodyguards”.

However, some are only for entertainment, so they have no chance. Meanwhile, “Fool for Love”, “Clash” and “Inferno” are Hollywood-style, so they have little opportunity. “Moon at the Bottom of the Well” and “Lonely” are the two major rivals.

“Moon” features Hue city and Vietnamese culture while “Lonely” is about the life of modern people in Hanoi. Both were introduced at several international film festivals and are highly appreciated by critics.

Hanh Phuong