The Iranian drama “The Salesman” has moved ahead of the German comedy “Toni Erdmann” in the Oscar race for Best Foreign Language Film according to our Oscar experts. They are mindful that Oscar voters may want to reward Asghar Farhadi, the director of “The Salesman,” who has been vocal in his criticism of the Muslim ban imposed by President Donald Trump. As of Feb. 17, fourteen of our 26 experts are now backing “The Salesman,” which gives it odds of 1/1. “Toni Erdmann,” which led this race until just a week ago, has the support of 11 experts and odds of 3/2. One expert is predicting an upset by the Swedish entry, “A Man Called Ove,” giving it odds of 16/1.
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Farhadi won this award in 2012 for “A Separation” which was also a nominee for Best Original Screenplay. His new film focuses on the ways a couple’s relationship is tested by outside forces, this time by the life of the woman who previously occupied their new home. “The Salesman” competed for the Palme d’Or at the 2016 Cannes Film Festival and took home prizes for Best Actor (Shahab Hosseini) and Best Screenplay.
Maren Ade’s “Toni Erdmann” is about a father’s decision to reconnect with his adult daughter. It too vied for the Palme d’Or at the 2016 Cannes Film Festival where it won the festival’s FIPRESCI Award. Shortly after Cannes it won the FIPRESCI Grand Prix for best film of the year, a prestigious award that went to “Mad Max: Fury Road,” “Boyhood” and “Amour” in recent years. Last week, it was announced that three-time Oscar champ Jack Nicholson will headline an English-language remake.
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BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM
1.”The Salesman” (1/1 odds)
Eric Deggans (NPR), Joyce Eng (TV Guide), Matthew Jacobs (Huffington Post), Tariq Khan (Fox News), Michael Musto (Out.com), Tom O’Neil (Gold Derby), Christopher Rosen (Entertainment Weekly), Paul Sheehan (Gold Derby), Nicole Sperling (Entertainment Weekly), Sasha Stone (Awards Daily), Anne Thompson (Indiewire), Peter Travers (Rolling Stone), Adnan Virk (ESPN), Glenn Whipp (Los Angeles Times).
2.”Toni Erdmann” (3/2 odds)
Thelma Adams (Gold Derby), Matt Atchity (Rotten Tomatoes), Erik Davis (Fandango), Edward Douglas (Weekend Warrior), Bonnie Fuller (Hollywood Life), Tim Gray (Variety), Scott Mantz (Access Hollywood), Jack Mathews (Gold Derby), Kevin Polowy (Yahoo!), Brian Truitt (USA Today), Susan Wloszczyna (RogetEbert.com).
3. “A Man Called Ove” (16/1 odds)
Keith Simanton (IMDB)
4. “This Land is Mine” (66/1 odds)
5.”Tanna” (80/1 odds)
Predict the Oscar winners now; change them till February 26
Be sure to make your Oscar predictions. Weigh in now with your picks so that Hollywood insiders can see how their films are faring in our Oscar odds. You can keep changing your predictions right up until just before winners are announced on February 26 at 5:00 pm PT/8:00 pm ET. And join in the fierce debate over the Oscars taking place right now with Hollywood insiders in our forums.Oscar experts predict Best Foreign Language Film showdown: ‘The Salesman’ v. ‘Toni Erdmann’
