As someone who’s been captivated by the intriguing world of international cinema, I find myself eagerly anticipating the 2025 Academy Awards. The contrast between Austria’s chilling horror-drama, “The Devil’s Bath,” and Ireland’s humorous doc-comedy, “Kneecap,” promises a fascinating journey through the realms of history and humor.
The competition for the international Oscars at the 2025 Academy Awards has started, with entries from Ireland and Austria in the Best International Feature Film category. Interestingly, these two films present stark contrasts to one another.
For its Oscar contender, Austria has selected The Devil’s Bath, Veronika Franz and Severin Fiala’s inspired-by-history feminist horror film. Ireland has, unsurprisingly, gone for the craic, picking Rich Peppiatt’s cheeky doc-comedy Kneecap, about the real-life Belfast rappers of the title.
In their latest work, “The Devil’s Bath,” filmmakers Franz and Fiala delve into the grim recesses of history. This chilling tale unfolds in 18th-century rural Austria, drawing inspiration from real-life incidents where individuals, often women, plagued by depression, feared eternal damnation for suicide. Rather than taking their own lives, these tormented souls chose a darker path – committing murder, frequently targeting children. By doing so, they believed they could repent and seek forgiveness through confession before meeting their end.
The film premiered in Berlin, where it won a Silver Bear for cinematographer Martin Gschlacht.
The Hollywood Reporter described it as a “compelling exploration into the human psyche, skillfully executed by capable filmmakers.”
Shudder picked up The Devil’s Bath for North America ahead of it’s Berlin bow.
As a gamer, I’d spin it like this:
Sony Pictures Classics quickly snatched it up for domestic release.
The Hollywood Reporter described it as “An exceptional endeavor…Imagine: _The Jazz Singer_ (1927) but infused with much more of a psychedelic atmosphere; _8 Mile_ set not long after a prolonged, brutal civil war had concluded; or _A Hard Day’s Night_ where every other word starts with the letter ‘C’.”
The submission deadline for the 96th Academy Awards falls on November 14, 2024. On December 17, the shortlist of candidates for the best international feature category will be unveiled. The nominations will follow on January 17, 2025. Finally, mark your calendars: The 2025 Academy Awards ceremony will take place on Sunday, March 2.
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2024-08-02 13:55