Argentina revels in post-Oscars glory
Tuesday, 9th March 2010
What better incentive to watch a foreign language movie and practise your language skills...
Of all the post-Oscars parties there are probably none bigger than those taking place in Argentina right now. The South American nation is still revelling in its victory for Best Foreign Language Film at this year’s Academy Awards, for the thriller El Secreto de Sus Ojos (The Secret in Their Eyes) by director Juan Jose Campanella. His moment of lifting Argentina’s first golden statuette in 25 years has been played over and over on national television as the country proudly celebrates a moment in history. It’s not the World Cup, but it almost could be.
Set in Buenos Aires in 1999, El Secreto de Sus Ojos is based on a novel by Eduardo Sacheri and is based on a retired lawyer trying to solve the rape and murder of a woman in 1974. As such the political turmoil of Argentina in the 1970s plays backdrop to the film – a time in history that few Argentines will forget. The witty dialogue and love stories that play out alongside this have all combined to make the film a huge box-office hit in Argentina – and most likely, now, across the world.
This isn’t the only film you should be watching this year though. Also nominated in the Best Foreign Film category were Peru’s La Teta Asustada (The Milk Sorrow), France’s Un Prophete (A Prophet), Germany’s Das Weisse Band (The White Ribbon) and Israel’s Ajami. If you want to practise your language skills – and watching foreign television or film is one of the best ways to improve your aural comprehension – then make sure you get these fantastic films out on DVD.
Why not make an evening of it – foreign wine, foreign food and foreign chat! Who needs to go to the after-show party…
Tags: oscars, film, peru, argentina, germany, german, french, spanish
Posted by Sarah Watkins 2010-03 under Passion for language, Making Progress,
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Posted by Rich Ambler on 03/10 at 06:16 PM
Yep I had a bet on it to win. Brilliant movie! Up there with 'The Lives of Others' from a few yrs back...
Posted by Cactus on 03/12 at 01:07 PM
Ah The Lives of Others was a great film too...that'll be one to practise the German then!