I am an avid fan of movies winning or getting nominated in the Best Foreign Language Film category. It is a much maligned category because of the 'weird' rules the Academy has imposed for a film to be eligible in that category, but even then, the yearly list of nominees are quite impressive in theme and storyline. So, I think Ang Babae Sa Septic Tank has a David-like climb to be able to at least, be even shortlisted among the five nominees in this category.
Well, I think the Academy will appreciate the 'poverty' scenes in the movie since that is really how the Western world sees our country. Eugene Domingo's performance in this movie is also fantastic so it's a plus point for the movie. The way the movie also pokes fun at the hypocrisies of indie filmmaking in this country should be something a Hollywood filmmaker can relate to.
The quality of the shots though may work against the movie. I just found it devoid of colour or it was too grainy. Compare that with the luscious cinematography you'd see in many European or even Iranian or Chinese movies, and it could be a minus for us. The storyline too is a bit weak. Nothing dramatic happens in the end and not much life-changing events that the Academy voters really love to see in a foreign film.
Anyhow, we don't know who the final 400 voters are going to be so we should just band together to make many of the 1000 voters initially chosen to choose the shortlist, at least, to get to see the movie. With so many countries competing, that alone is going to be a tough task - but not impossible!
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