Among the 21 nominated films, it was the mystery of the young Apulian that convinced the Anica committee. He got the better of Nanni Moretti and Gabriele Muccino. Here’s why
It is the Italian film that most thrilled us at the last Venice Film Festival and will also be Italy’s representative at the Oscars 2027 for the race for best international film: è The stranger Of Paolo Strippoli. The thirty-three year old from Puglia beat off the competition from top directors such as Nanni Moretti, Marco Bechis and Gabriele Muccino. That’s why it was chosen and why we’re happy about it.
Why The stranger he is the chosen one
The stranger by Paolo Strippoli will represent Italy at the 99th edition of the Academy Awards, in the selection for the International Feature Film Award category. He was chosen by the Selection Committee established by Anica, on behalf of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, and composed of Giorgio Carlo Brugnoni, Cristina Comencini, Federica Lucisano, Francesco Melzi D’Eril and Niccolò Vivarelli.
The reasons? «Because it’s a new genre film by a young authorwhich has recently begun its journey and has been appreciated by the public and by national and international critics”, the Committee announced.
At the recent Venice festival it was certainly the most convincing Italian film. Between mystery and family thriller, The stranger investigates the terror of losing control and the inevitability of destiny. With Jasmine Trinca bourgeois mother who wants to embrace her successful family photo and thus drag it, intact and untouchable, through time. AND Valeria Bruni Tedeschia rare and Mephistophelian presence, which offers crossroads of disturbing and irresistible cynicism.
Film from Strippoli’s maturity, it plays with genres, leaving a pleasant surprise. A nice breath of fresh air in the Italian cinema scene. Its impact? Much more powerful Of It will happen tonight by the good Nanni, a pleasant but not very memorable love story. And also of Return to Buenos Aires by Marco Bechis, a committed but imperfect film.
The 21 films in competition
The stranger will come to the cinema on October 8 with 01 Distribution. After also being presented at the Toronto Film Festival, it will participate in the Busan International Film Festival, in the international World Cinema section.
Here is the list of the 21 films among which he excelled, candidates to represent Italy at the 2027 Oscars.
- It will happen tonight by Nanni Moretti
- The stranger by Paolo Strippoli
- Anna by Monica Guerritore
- My Joy by Margherita Spampinato
- Three bowls by Isabel Coixet
- The children of the monkey by Tommaso Landucci
- The eyes of others by Andrea De Sica
- Return to Buenos Aires by Marco Bechis
- Spring by Damiano Michieletto
- Snakes by Roberto De Paolis Maino
- Life goes like this by Riccardo Milani
- The little girls by Valentina Bertani and Nicole Bertani
- Against the flow at Rebours by Angelo Antonucci
- The things left unsaid by Gabriele Muccino
- The climb by Massimiliano Gallo
- Orpheus by Virgilio Villoresi
- Hitler’s great fear – Trial of degenerate art by Simona Risi
- Almost grace by Peter Marcias
- For you by Alessandro Aronadio
- Finale: Allegro by Emanuela Piovano
- The gospel of Judas by Giulio Base
Oscar 2027, the next steps
The stranger will compete for the shortlist which will include the fifteen best international films selected by the Academy and which will be announced on December 15th.
The announcement of the 2027 Oscar nominations (and therefore of the final five) is instead scheduled for January 21st. The Oscars ceremony will be held in Los Angeles on March 14, 2027.
