Canada's Oscar contender announced in Montreal
Xavier Dolan's Mommy a likely choice when TeleFilm reveals Canada's Oscar contenter today
Canada's contender for Oscar glory in the best foreign-language film category will be announced today in Montreal.
The selection by a 23-member jury composed of major government agencies and national film associations will be announced by Telefilm Canada.
Observers say a top contender for the nod is Mommy, by 25-year-old Quebec director Xavier Dolan.
He shared the Jury Prize with French legend Jean-Luc Godard and his film when Mommy premiered at the Cannes film festival earlier this year.
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Mommy tells the story of a mother's complex relationship with her troubled son.
Other possibilities include Charles Binamé's The Elephant Song — which starred Dolan in an acting role — as well as An Eye For Beauty, the latest from Oscar winner Denys Arcand.
Buzz has also surrounded Stephane Lafleur's quirky comedy Tu dors Nicole.
Albert Shin's In Her Place was the subject of Oscar chatter at the recent Toronto International Film Festival, which is considered a key event in the lead-up to Oscar lobbying season.
Canada has been submitting films for consideration by the Academy for Motion Picture Arts and Sciences since 1971.
Canada has had three nominees make the final Oscar cut in the last five years with Incendies in the running at the 2011 ceremony; Monsieur Lazhar in 2012; and War Witch in 2013.