October 1, 2014 - 12:10 AMT
Australia picks “Charlie's Country” as foreign Oscar candidate

Australia has chosen Charlie's Country as its candidate for the best foreign-language category at the 2015 Oscars, Screen Australia announced Wednesday, Oct 1, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Charlie's Country is a semi-autobiographical tale of Charlie (David Gulpilil) who faced with renewed threats to the Aboriginal community he lives in heads into the 'bush,' the vast Australian interior where he returns the old ways of his ancestors.

The film was co-developed, written, produced and directed by Rolf de Heer, with Gulpilil also instrumental in developing the film.

Charlie’s Country made its international premiere at the Cannes Film Festival, where Gulpilil received the respected Un Certain Regard Best Actor Award. The film has screened at 13 film festivals so far, including the Toronto International Film Festival and is currently invited to screen at 13 more.

If Charlie's Country is nominated, it would be the first Australian film to make the shortlist for the best foreign-language category at the Oscars.

Photo: Festival de Cannes