Mexico Selects Alfonso Cuarón's 'Roma' For Oscar Foreign Language Category
Alfonso Cuarón has already won one directing Oscar for an English language movie. Now, he's vying for a second for a foreign language film.
Mexico has selected his black-and-white autobiographical drama "Roma" as its entry into the Best Foreign Language category at the Academy Awards.
Netflix quietly qualified the movie by opening in for one week of theatrical release in Mexico City. It will debut on the streaming service and in U.S. theaters December 14.
"Roma" received rave review after screening at the Venice, Toronto, and Telluride Film Festivals, winning the Golden Lion at the former. It was a shoo-in to be Mexico's selection and looks like a contender for other major categories like Best Picture and Director.
Cuaron produced, wrote and directed "Roma," which draws upon his memories of growing up in the titular neighborhood in Mexico City.
He made history by becoming the first Mexican filmmaker to win the Best Director Oscar for "Gravity," paving the way for his friends and fellow countrymen Alejandro G. Inarritu ("The Revenant") and Guillermo del Toro ("The Shape of Water").
Still, Mexico has never won the Foreign Language Oscar out of eight nominations.