Iceland selects “Sparrows” for foreign-language Oscars categorySeptember 22, 2016 - 17:34 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Iceland has submitted Sparrows, a coming-of-age film from director Runar Runarsson, to represent the country in the 2017 Oscar race for the best foreign-language film, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The film, which premiered in Toronto last year, follows a teenage boy (Atli Oskar Fjalarsson) forced to adjust to living with his deadbeat dad, played by Ingvar E. Sigurosson, in a rough town in Iceland's far north. The setting gives some visual oomph to the somewhat conventional story, as does the hypnotic score from former Sigur Ros keyboardist Kjartan Sveinsson. Iceland has never won the foreign-language Oscar and so far has only one nomination to its name: the 1991 drama Children of Nature from Fridrik Thor Fridriksson. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences will announce its 2017 shortlist of foreign-language nominees early next year. The final five nominees will be announced on Jan. 24. The 2017 Oscars will be held Feb. 26. Top stories The creative crew of the Public TV had chosen 13-year-old Malena as a participant of this year's contest. She called on others to also suspend their accounts over the companies’ failure to tackle hate speech. Penderecki was known for his film scores, including for William Friedkin’s “The Exorcist”, Stanley Kubrick’s “The Shining”. The festival made the news public on March 19, saying that “several options are considered in order to preserve its running” Partner news | European Parliament to discuss repression in Azerbaijan The European Parliament will discuss repression of civil society in Azerbaijan on April 24 PACE wants concessions from Azerbaijan to accept Baku back A PACE co-rapporteur said that Azerbaijani authorities must make certain concessions so that the country can return to PACE. Cyprus parliament honors Armenian genocide victims Acting House President Zacharias Koulias noted that April 24 marks the “black anniversary” of the Armenian genocide. Armenia PM, France envoy discuss regional matters Issues related to the consistent development of Armenia-France cooperation were discussed. |