For the third time in four years, Canada’s official submission for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film category will be a film produced by the Quebecois production company micro_scope. In 2010, it was Incendies. In 2011, it was Monsieur Lazhar. This year it will be Gabrielle.
The second film by Quebecois director Louise Archambault, Gabrielle tells the story of a developmentally challenged, musically talented young woman who moves out of a group home in order to pursue a relationship with a fellow choir member. The film has already won the audience award at the Locarno International Film Festival.
“We are very pleased and sincerely honoured to represent Canada in the Oscar race. We hope to make it as far as possible with the film,”; said the film’s producers in a statement.
The decision to submit Gabrielle as Canada’s official entry was made by a committee that includes 22 voting members from government agencies and national film industry associations.
“The selection committee certainly got it right these last three years, and we’re confident that we once again have a strong and very competitive candidate for the upcoming Oscar race. Gabrielle has won over audiences internationally, and there’s no question that the Academy members will succumb to its charms as well,”; said Carolle Brabant, executive director of Telefilm Canada.
The nominations for the 86th Academy Awards will be announced on January 16, 2014.
The Oscars will be hosted by Ellen DeGeneres on March 2, 2014.
