Andrey Zvyagintsev’s Cannes Competition drama Minotaur is widely considered one of the live contenders to make the Academy’s Best International Film category. The Russian-language drama, which won the Grand Prix on the Croisette, has been making waves in the film industry with its thought-provoking storyline and critically acclaimed performances.

Minotaur is a domestic drama about how a high-powered Russian executive’s meticulously controlled existence unravels when professional crises, global chaos, and marital betrayal converge. The film is a French-German-Latvian co-production, and its production team is confident that it can claim the French nomination for the Oscars. However, the film’s eligibility as the French submission will become clearer towards the end of September when the country makes its decision on which film to send to the Oscars.

Andrey Zvyagintsev’s two previous Oscar nominations came under the Russian flag. However, the filmmaker is now in exile, and the film is considered a veiled attack on the Russian regime. Despite filming entirely in Latvia, the country is considered a minority co-producer on Minotaur and is unlikely to be entered as the Latvian hopeful. France is considered the primary producer with Paris-based MK2 and CG Cinema aboard and the former handling sales. Arte France also financed the film.

Minotaur will have to compete with other strong contenders for the Best International Film category. Fellow Cannes films such as Emmanuel Marre’s A Man of His Time and historical epic De Gaulle: Résistance are also in the running. Another wildcard in the category is Ryusuke Hamaguchi’s Cannes drama All Of A Sudden, which can qualify for Japan or France. The film has already opened well in France, bigger than any Hamaugchi film, including Drive My Car.

The Best International Film category is one of the most competitive and political categories at the Oscars. The selection process often involves jostling between films, co-production countries, and companies. Minotaur, with its veiled criticism of Putin and Zvyagintsev’s status in exile, is in similar terrain to Jafar Panahi’s Iranian drama It Was Just An Accident, which was selected as the French submission for the Oscars last year. Mohammad Rasoulof’s Persian-language The Seed of the Sacred Fig, which was previously Oscar nominated as Germany’s entry in the category, is another example of a film that has tackled sensitive topics in its storytelling.

The Best International Film category is also expected to be highly competitive this year. Movies like Fjord, All Of A Sudden, and Lee Chang-dong’s Venice title Possible Love are all expected to be in the mix. Lukas Dhont’s war drama Coward, another Cannes entry, is another that critics are high on. Netflix’s La Bola Negra feels like the frontrunner so far and along with Fjord, perhaps the most likely crossover film. However, some believe that the category may lack the depth of recent editions and is without powerhouse crossover titles such as Anatomy Of A Fall, Emilia Perez, and Sentimental Value.

In conclusion, Minotaur is a strong contender for the Best International Film category, but it will have to compete with other highly acclaimed films for the top spot. The film’s eligibility as the French submission will be decided towards the end of September, and its chances of making it to the Oscars will depend on the final decision.