Spain Selects Two Films for Oscar Contention: Romería and Sorda

The Academy of Cinema has announced the shortlist of films that will represent Spain in the Best International Feature Film category at the 98th Academy Awards, set to take place on March 15. During a morning event, actors Emma Suárez and Juan Diego Botto revealed the contenders, with the final selection to be announced on September 17. Among the shortlisted films are "Romería" directed by Carla Simón and "Sorda" directed by Eva Libertad. "Romería" marks the conclusion of Simón’s family trilogy, focusing on the life story of her parents, their meeting, and the impact of the 1980s youth culture, specifically highlighting the struggles brought on by heroin and AIDS. This poignant film had its premiere at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival and will be released in theaters this Friday. On the other hand, "Sirat," directed by Óliver Laxe, tells the gripping narrative of a father searching for his missing daughter. During his quest, he becomes involved with a group of ravers along with his son. This film also made its debut at Cannes, winning the Jury Prize and acclaim for its outstanding soundtrack. Meanwhile, "Sorda" is noteworthy as it is the debut feature of Eva Libertad, addressing the challenges faced by a couple navigating life after the birth of their child amidst the contrasting worlds of the deaf and hearing communities. This film is particularly significant as it features a deaf actress, Miriam Garlo, and is based on Libertad's short film of the same name, which had previously been nominated for the Goya Awards. Last year, Spain's representative for the Oscars was "Segundo premio," a story centered around an indie music group inspired by the famous band Los Planetas. Although it received positive reviews, it ultimately did not make the final nominee list for the Academy Awards. Stay tuned for updates on the final selection and other news related to the Oscars. For more information, follow El Huffpost and download our mobile app available for both Android and iOS. Related Sources: • Source 1 • Source 2