Rojek, writer-director Zaynê Akyol’s documentary that attempts to trace the beginning, rise and fall of the Islamic State through the personal stories of its members and their wives incarcerated in prison camps, was selected Thursday by Canada to represent the country in the 2024 Oscar Best International Feature Film race. A total of 28 films …
The documentary Rojek, by 30-year-old Montreal filmmaker of Kurdish origin Zayne Akyol, will represent Canada at the Academy Awards for Best International Film.
Oscar-bound? Quebec had big hand in Ivory Coast prison drama Montreal-based Périphéria Films co-produced Night of the Kings and recruited an array of Quebec crew members for the production.
Author of the article: T Cha Dunlevy • Montreal Gazette
Publishing date: Mar 11, 2021 • March 11, 2021 • 3 minute read • Film producer Yanick Létourneau of Périphéria Films in offices overlooking Mount Royal and downtown Montreal. His company is co-producer of the Quebec-France-Ivory Coast co-production Night of the Kings, which is short-listed in the Oscar category of best international film. The nominations will be announced Monday. Photo by John Mahoney /Montreal Gazette
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The original idea and the script are by Marie Vien, to whom we also owe La Passion d’Augustine.
Duval made his name writing and directing Dédé, travers les brumes, about the life and work of singer André Fortin of Les Colocs. He was also behind the production of the successful Radio-Canada series Unité 9.
Duval said in a statement that he saw in the film “a unique opportunity to bring the values of peace and reconciliation to the widest possible audience.”
A short list of 10 finalists from among the films submitted will be unveiled Feb. 9. Five of them will be officially nominated in mid-March.