Quebec director Denis Villeneuve earned Tuesday the five nominations he was expecting for his science fiction feature Blade Runner 2049.
The sequel to Ridley Scott’s cult film, released in 1982, was dropped from the categories of Best Direction and Best Film, but the Quebec filmmaker welcomed the news without any disappointment as he expected the performances disappointing Blade Runner 2049 at the box office away from the main categories.
“If my film cost $ 20 million, it would be a huge success right now, but the film was expensive,” he said in a conference call on Tuesday morning. When I saw that, I thought, “Oh boy, my chances at the Oscars are melting like snow in the sun.” From that moment, I knew (that I would not be named), because in the United States, we are not going to celebrate a film that did not meet the expectations at the box office. ”
Denis Villeneuve was particularly pleased with the appointment of Roger Deakins Cinematographer and hope the 14 th selection will be right for one who still has no Oscar to his credit.
Blade Runner 2049 is also named for its visual effects, sound editing, sound mixing and sets, created by the Canadian Dennis Gassner.
“I knew where the film’s strengths were, where my hopes were allowed and the first appointments were made. So I would say that I did not have a wait for the best film or the best film. I was more relaxed this morning. ”
The only disappointment of Denis Villeneuve comes from the absence of his film in the category of the best soundtrack. According to him, the music of Hans Zimmer and Benjamin Wallfisch was among the best of the last year.
Currently in writing for Dune’s film adaptation , the filmmaker recounted having recently felt the need to return to see films, so he has seen almost all the works nominated by the Academy of Oscars Tuesday. His favorites?
“The two films that marked me this year are Paul Thomas Anderson, Phantom Thread , and Christopher Nolan, Dunkirk . (…) That’s why I was very happy to see that we put Anderson this morning in the category of best director, because I think it’s completely deserved. ”
Other Canadian finalists
Actor Christopher Plummer, animated film The Breadwinner ( Parvana: A Childhood in Afghanistan ) and a producer of The Shape of Water are among the finalists in this year’s Academy Awards.
Producer J. Miles Dale shares the nomination for best feature film for Guillermo del Toro’s The Shape of Water , which has no less than 13 nominations.
Other Canadians nominated for the film include Artistic Director Paul Austerberry, Costume Designer Luis M. Sequeira and Editor Sidney Wolinsky.
Christopher Plummer, who replaced Kevin Spacey at the last minute in All the Money in the World , is nominated for Best Supporting Actor.
“I am absolutely delighted to receive this nomination by the Academy. It was rather unexpected, but very rewarding. Everything happened so quickly lately that I’m still a little shocked, but I’m very excited about it all, “he said in a statement.
The Breadwinner , based on Canadian writer Deborah Ellis’ novel, is named in the category of best animated film.
This Canadian co-production has executive producer Angelina Jolie and stars Toronto actress Saara Chaudry, who gives her voice to the main character. The film, scripted by Canadian filmmaker Anita Doron, was also named to the Golden Globes, in the same category.
