Elysia is joined by Mexican film critic Héctor Serrano to tour the best cinema of the year from around the world, from this year's five Oscar nominees to highlights from the shortlist and beyond: Best International Film – history & rules (0:04:02)The 5 nominees (0:16:54)Shortlisted films (01:02:55)Other awards & more recs (01:26:16) Note: All film discussion in this episode is spoiler-free. Find Héctor Serrano at: El Cinéfilo Latino Nominees Discussed: International Film nominees: It Was Just an Accident (France [Iran]) – trailer, info (VoD)The Secret Agent (Brazil) – trailer, info (VoD, theaters)Sentimental Value (Norway) – trailer, info (VoD)Sirāt (Spain) – trailer, info (theaters, VoD likely March)The Voice of Hind Rajab (Tunisia [Palestine]) – trailer, info (theaters, VoD March 10) Other films discussed: A Useful Ghost (Thailand; to rent), The Sea (Israel; to rent), No Other Choice (South Korea; to rent), “Close Your Eyes, Hind” (The Netherlands [Palestine]; NPO [NL only]), Four Daughters (2023, Tunisia; Hoopla, Kanpoy, Kino), The President’s Cake (Iraq), Sound of Falling (Germany), Left-Handed Girl (Taiwan; Netflix), Kokuho (Japan), Homebound (India; Netflix), All That’s Left of You (Jordan [Palestine]; to rent), Nouvelle Vague (France; Netflix), On Becoming a Guinea Fowl (Zambia; HBO Max), A Poet (Colombia), Rietland (The Netherlands; to rent [NL]; Elysia’s review), The Propagandist (The Netherlands; NPO [NL]), We Shall Not Be Moved (Mexico; Disney/Hulu, Kanopy), The Things You Kill (Canada [Turkey]; Hoopla, Filo), Banzo (Portugal), Sore: Wife from the Future (Indonesia), The Ugly Stepsister (Norway; Hulu, AMC+, Shudder, Mubi, Philo), The Last Viking (Denmark), Resurrection (China; Elysia’s review), Magellan (The Phillippines [Portugal]) The 98th Academy Awards will air Sunday, March 15, 2025 at 7 pm ET (on ABC/Hulu in the US) – where it's aired around the world Check how many Oscar nominees you've seen at OscarsDeathRace.com – or with extended stats and access to the animated shorts via DeathRaceTracking.com Oscars 2026 coverage Nominations + Best Picture preview Live-Action, Animated, & Documentary Shorts Production Design, Costumes, Makeup & Hair International Features (this episode) Documentary Features Score & Original Song Cinematography, VFX, Editing, Sound Animated Features Adapted & Original Screenplay, Director Lead & Supporting Actor & Actress, Casting Ceremony reactions + Best Picture rankings Deep dives into 2026 Oscar nominees Sinners One Battle After Another – pt. 1, pt. 2, pt. 3 Frankenstein Weapons Shorts: “Two People Exchanging Saliva,” “Jane Austen’s Period Drama,” “The Singers,” “Retirement Plan,” and “The Girl Who Cried Pearls” For subscribers: Leiden IFF – WhachaWachin (Sentimental Value, If I Had Legs I Would Kick You, Arco + Rental Family, Left-Handed Girl) Imagine Fantastic FF – WhachaWachin (The Last Viking) Additional awards coverage BAFTAs shorts BAFTAs features Independent Spirit Awards Revisit Oscars 2024 & 2025: links in these show notes Contact Us Questions or comments? Visit us at our website where you can use the contact form or use the voicemail feature. Or, send an email to lorehounds@thelorehounds.com. Links to Patreon, Supercast, Discord, and Network Affiliates linktr.ee/thelorehounds Any opinions stated are ours personally and do not reflect the opinion of or belong to any employers or other entities. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
