The 86th Academy Awards nominations were announced this morning, and as a bit of a surprise there are 11 documentaries named as Oscar contenders. And if we include Bad Grandpa, it’s 12! The nominees are as follows:
Best Documentary Feature
20 Feet From Stardom
The Act of Killing
Cutie and the Boxer
Dirty Wars
The Square
Here’s a reaction statement from Jehane Noujaim, director of The Square:
This film and this nomination is in honor of the Egyptians who are still struggling as I write this — for their hopes and dreams and for the blood of the thousands that have been sacrificed for the struggle for human rights and social justice. We made this film to tell the stories of people who are risking all that they have to fight for change — and to share their hopes and dreams with the world. Making this film took us into Tahrir Square and revealed the beauty, power and courage of the Egyptian people — a courage that has taught us and inspired us, and has personally changed our lives forever. This film was a collaboration of talented filmmakers and was born from Tahrir Square — it is a witness that the struggle for human rights and freedoms is a universal struggle and this nomination is an international recognition of that struggle. As Ahmed, one of the revolutionaries in the film said when he was told of the nomination — now that the world has witnessed, and our story has touched their hearts and minds, it will never be able to be obliterated. So thank you for this recognition, and for the power you have now given this film for spreading stories of truth and the fight for justice — You are now part of the Egyptian Revolution! We are humbled to be sharing this honor with so many other critical films and very talented storytellers who have worked so hard to bring light to untold stories of the world.
Documentary Short
CaveDigger
Facing Fear
Karama Has No Walls
The Lady in Number 6: Music Changed My Life
Prison Terminal: The Last Days of Private Jack Hall
Foreign Language Film
The Missing Picture
Hairstyling and Makeup
Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa
