The screenplay for Leviathan – which won a Cannes Film Festival Award — is a modern reworking of the Book of Job. The film is set on a peninsula by the Barents Sea and tells the story of a man who struggles against a corrupt mayor who wants his piece of land. True to his style, Zvyagintsev uses the story to question universal issues that resonate with everyone, which is why his films are so accessible to a global audience.
Critics have been raving about the film and its success. But while most focus on the film as an artistic piece, and comment on the traditional aspects that make or break a movie – the storyline, the acting, the camera work and so on, some have already put a political spin on it. Hollywood Reporter’s reviewer actually questioned how a film so critical of modern-day Russia was made with financial support from the country’s Ministry of Culture. And recently, the Guardian published a highly political review of Leviathan, where there are a lot of critical comments about Russia and very little about the film itself.
This is where one can get a glimpse of a whole new side to the Academy Awards. Contenders for the most recognizable cinematic award in the world will always be surrounded by rumors and speculation – but in the case of a foreign language film nomination, it’s politics that can make or break you.
Especially since most of the people will only be paying attention to the so-called Top Five Awards– Best Picture, Best Actor/Actress and Best Supporting Actor/Actress. A foreign language film, sadly, cannot gather the same audience as something in 3D with an A-list cast, lots of special effects and a relatively simple storyline.
“Frankly, people in the United States, I'm afraid don't pay much attention to that award,” says Godfrey Cheshire III, film critic, journalist, and director. “If Leviathan wins it will certainly help its chances at the US art house scene.”
Zvyagintsev’s film has certainly created a lot of buzz. Whether it, and the politics surrounding it, will win or lose him an Oscar remains to be seen.
