The stage is set for the 96th Academy Awards, set to air live on ABC on March 10, 2024, at the iconic Dolby Theatre in Hollywood. Per usual, it will be a night to remember as the best films of 2023 will be honored, and the ever-charismatic Jimmy Kimmel will be back to host for the fourth time.

As the countdown begins, submissions worldwide have poured in, and the official Oscar entries in the International Feature Film category are promising an intense competition.

Nominations for the 96th Oscars will be unveiled on January 23, 2024. The International Feature Film category is witnessing a tight race, featuring compelling entries that transcend borders and captivate audiences globally.

1. “Behind the Haystacks” – Greece’s Gripping Tale of Desperation and Redemption

Director: Asimina Proedrou

Starring: Stathis Stamoulakatos, Lena Ouzounidou, Evgenia Lavda

Asimina Proedrou’s “Behind the Haystacks” explores the complexities of a middle-aged fisherman on Greece’s northern border. Drowning in debt, he turns to smuggling migrants, unraveling a tale of desperation, faith, and tragedy. The film, honored at the Greek Academy Awards and the International Film Festival of India (Goa), delves into the impact of social circumstances on individuals, offering a Rashomon-style narrative that unveils the characters’ inner motives and conflicts.

Director’s Insight: Asimina Proedrou, inspired by the refugee crisis in 2015, expands the film’s perspective to draw from real elements of the local community and the international context. The movie serves as a poignant exploration of corruption, societal pressures, and the human struggle for survival.

In “Behind the Haystacks,” the same story is told from the point of view of each family member: father, mother, daughter. “A structure which reflects how each individual has their own version of the truth,” Proedrou reveals. All three characters are forced to face the same moral dilemma: will they defend the truth in favor of the community, or will they compromise and submit, turning themselves into cogs of the corrupt system in which they live?

“The heart of this film is a tragic family drama situated in the larger context of a contemporary refugee crisis. A family is pressured by the conditions of their bleak society, trying to survive through a hostile environment,” Proedrou tells Hollywood First Look. “The theme of ‘Behind the Haystacks’ is related to the ongoing exploration I have as a filmmaker. It is about where our modern societies lead us and the different ways corruption reproduces itself, driving us away from our true nature and our true needs, hopes, and dreams.”

For Proedrou, who witnessed this crisis firsthand, the process of creating the film and sharing it with an audience was healing for her as a writer and director.

Audience Takeaway: A social-family drama that navigates moral dilemmas, the film resonates with audiences globally, offering a nuanced portrayal of characters facing intense pressure. The beauty of the wild Dojran Lake setting serves as a timeless backdrop, weaving culture and contemporary challenges into the narrative.

2. “2018: Everyone is a Hero” – India’s Epic Survival Drama

Director: Jude Anthany Joseph

Starring: Tovino Thomas, Kunchako Boban, Asif Ali, Narain Lal, Aparna Balamurali, Tanvi Ram

Jude Anthany Joseph’s “2018: Everyone is a Hero” takes viewers on an emotional journey through the catastrophic 2018 Kerala floods. With a star-studded cast, the film has already earned accolades at the Big Screen Awards and Mazhavil Entertainment Awards. It took home a Septimius Award for Best Asian Actor and won Best Director at Bangalore’s Innovative Film Festival. The story, rooted in personal experience, reflects the resilience of the human spirit in the face of natural disasters.

“2018: Everyone is a Hero” is directed by Joseph, who wrote the screenplay with Akhil P. Dharmajan. The film was produced by Venu Kunnappilly under his production house Kavya Film Company.

Director’s Insight: Having personally experienced the Kerala floods, Jude Anthany Joseph was inspired to create a film that portrays the disaster’s impact and emphasizes the need to protect nature. The movie combines the elements of tragedy and nature’s revenge, delivering a powerful message about humanity’s relationship with the environment.

“I was a victim of the flood, which happened in August 2018, in Kerala,” Joseph recounts. “I had to leave my home with my parents at night when the water came to our house suddenly. My wife and kid were at her hometown for a wedding, and I could not call them as the cell phone networks were down during the flood. I had to put my parents at my sister’s place, and when I got back to my house, it was flooded. I lost most of the household items, including the furniture and electronics. I lost my car in the flood, and it was a tough time for me. After the flood, I was approached by an NGO to make an inspirational video for the people of Kerala to give them some hope about life.”

Joseph tells this awesome story of humanity winning over disaster. “Also, it was nature’s revenge story because we human beings tried to destroy nature,” he added. “It came back on us. So, I made this film to give the world a message: Save nature and, thus, humanity.”

Audience Takeaway: A film that elicits deep emotions, “2018: Everyone is a Hero” offers a message of hope and environmental consciousness. Audiences can expect to be moved by the characters’ struggles and inspired to protect nature.

3. “Marry My Dead Body” – Taiwan’s Supernatural Comedy

Director: Cheng Wei-Hao

Starring: Hsu Kuang-Han, Austin Lin, Gingle Wang

Cheng Wei-Hao’s “Marry My Dead Body” adds a touch of the supernatural to the Oscar race. A unique blend of comedy, crime-solving, and ghostly romance, the film explores the unconventional marriage between policeman Ming-han and the deceased character, Mao-mao. With multiple awards under its belt, the film presents a fresh perspective on LGBTQ themes.

Awards include the Bucheon Award at the 13th NAFF Awards, Audience Choice Winner at Season16 Asian Pop-up Cinema, Best Asian Film at the 22nd Neuchâtel International Fantastic Film Festival, the Audience Award at the 22nd New York Asian Film Festival, and Best Screenplay at the 25th Taipei Film Awards. The film has also garnered eight nominations at the upcoming 60th Taipei Golden Horse Awards.

Director’s Insight: Cheng Wei-Hao aimed to break away from the typical heavy tone associated with LGBTQ-themed films, using comedy to highlight the humor and optimism found within the gay community. The movie tackles stereotypes and labels, emphasizing the importance of tearing them down.

Cheng Wei-Hao tells Hollywood First Look that humor and optimism, these types of endearing aspects, are what the LGBTQ community embodies. “Most of my creative motivation for the movie is presenting a kind of beauty that has more laughter and hope for the present society – which has its challenges and issues,” explained the director. 

“After the law was officially passed in 2019, Taiwan became the first region in Asia to pass same-sex marriage. And this movie strives to present the values of gay marriage and love after this event,” Wei-Hao says, while pointing out there are still many problems of gender opposition in Taiwan and even East Asian society. “Under the patriarchal system in Asia, the gay community also faces a lot of pressure from their families. This society also continues to discriminate because it does not understand the other side’s position.”

Audience Takeaway: “Marry My Dead Body” promises a comedic yet poignant exploration of love and breaking free from societal norms. The film’s unique approach to LGBTQ themes offers a fresh perspective, inviting audiences to reflect on the significance of understanding, love, and equality.

4. “Photophobia” – Slovakia’s Tale of Light in the Darkness

Directors: Ivan Ostrochovský, Pavol Pekarčík

Starring: Nikita Tyshchenko, Viktoriia Mats, Yana Yevdokymova

Slovakia’s submission, “Photophobia,” directed by Ivan Ostrochovský and Pavol Pekarčík, marks the pair’s third time as the national entry in the Best International Feature category. “Photophobia” unfolds a gripping story of survival amid war. Set against the backdrop of the Kharkiv metro station during a conflict, the film follows 12-year-old Niki and his encounter with 11-year-old Vika. A tale of resilience and newfound courage, “Photophobia” explores the impact of war on the lives of children. 

Directors’ Insight: The film encapsulates the struggles of a family seeking refuge in a metro station during a war, emphasizing the significance of finding hope and courage in the darkest of times. The neon-lit world within the metro station becomes a symbol of survival and the pursuit of a normal childhood.

Ivan Ostrochovský and Pavol Pekarčík say that film can be a terrific tool to understand reality when there’s a phenomenon that one needs to comprehend. They hope this film will make a more general public aware of the conditions of an ordinary family in Ukraine nowadays while their country fights to protect its democratic values.

“We do hope that we were able to deliver at least a part of the emotions from the Heroiv Pratsi metro station in Kharkiv to the audience,” Ostrochovský and Pekarčík explain. “Our wish is to awaken empathy and the willingness of people to help others, especially during critical times.” At the film’s core is the relationship between Niki and Vika, the warmth and consolation they find with each other, and about humanity in the most inhuman conditions.

Audience Takeaway: “Photophobia” portrays the human spirit’s ability to find light in the darkest moments. Viewers can expect an emotional journey as the children navigate the challenges of war, forming a bond that gives them the strength to face the unknown. Ultimately, it is a story about hope.

As these international gems step onto the Oscar stage, they bring diverse narratives, unique perspectives, and powerful messages. The 96th Academy Awards are poised to celebrate the richness of global cinema, inviting audiences worldwide to join in the excitement and exploration of these compelling stories. It promises to be an unforgettable night of cinematic brilliance.