Even when categories at the Oscars are stacked with great films, it's often the case that only a few winners emerge which end up dominating pop culture discourse and space on our to-watch lists. But that doesn't mean the films that lost are any less worthy of attention. So before we endure all the campaigning, think pieces, and prediction posts about the upcoming Oscars, let's first take a look back at what you might have missed in the previous award seasons.
Below are 5 films that lost in their respective categories at the Oscars, but are still 100% worth your time:
2017 - Abacus: Small Enough to JailFilm: Abacus: Small Enough to Jail
Country: United States
Director: Steve James
Category: Best Documentary Feature
Lost to: IcarusWhat it's about?: "Too big to fail" became the defining term of the 2008 financial crisis after large banks received government bailouts despite the fact that their predatory tactics targeting low-income homebuyers and reckless risk-taking was a key driver of the financial crisis in the first place. People were, and still are, rightly angry that there was little done to hold those responsible accountable. But what a lot of people may not realize is that the United States did bring charges against a bank in relation to the 2008 financial crisis - a small New York City bank started
by the Chinese community
for the Chinese community that was created with the goal of helping Chinese immigrants obtain loans to help build their lives in America as other financial institutions were reluctant to lend them money. Abacus Federal Savings Bank was the
only U.S. bank indicted for mortgage fraud in relation to the 2008 financial crisis. The film features legal professionals, journalists, jurors, and employees who were all a part of the trial.
Why you should watch it: The documentary is an eye opening look at a story that most people aren't aware of - that amidst all the financial dysfunction stemming from 2008, prosecutors decided to aggressively go after one small bank in a downright unscrupulous manner. It serves as an important look at the way certain communities are still targeted and how systems continue to oppress. It's also a really powerful story of an immigrant family and the value of community.
Overall vibe?: Educational, important, and infuriating.
2018 - Can You Ever Forgive Me? Film: Can You Ever Forgive Me?
Country: United States
Director: Marielle Heller
Category: Best Actress (Melissa McCarthy) | Best Supporting Actor (Richard E. Grant) | Best Adapted Screenplay (Nicole Holofcener and Jeff Whitty; based on the memoir by Lee Israel)
Lost to: Olivia Coleman (
The Favourite) | Mahershala Ali (
Greenbook) | Charlie Wachtel, David Rabinowitz, Kevin Willmott and Spike Lee; based on the book Black Klansman by Ron Stallworthdouble-dagger (
BlacKkKlansman)
What's it about?: The trailer above doesn't really do this movie any justice! The film was adapted from the confessional autobiography of Lee Israel, an author that committed literary forgery in the early 1990's by creating and selling fake letters attributed to famous actors and writers after her own writing career had stalled due to a poorly received Est'ee Lauder biography. Her scheme eventually caught the eye of the FBI and made her persona non grata in literary circles and the world of collectibles.
Why you should watch it: The film is genuinely really funny - it's both witty and outrageous. It's the story of a once insider now on the outside and McCarthy's performance straddles a captivating line between brash and pitiful, deranged and likeable. Richard E. Grant (who plays Lee's accomplice, Jack) and McCarthy play off each other so well and make for a truly insane dynamic duo. But at the same time, it's also a beautiful story about their friendship as two members of the LGBTQ community that came to accept and cherish each other despite their own issues and shortcomings all while dealing with the whirlwind lunacy of the situation they got themselves into. Bonus? Its runtime is about an hour and 40 minutes - no 3 hour long nonsense here. If you're a regular in book drama posts - this one's for you!
Overall vibe?: A chaotic, crazy, funny wild-ride of a film. It's a good movie to watch on the couch with a glass of wine and some popcorn with your family, your bestie, or your partner.
2019 - Corpus ChristisFilm: Corpus Christi
Country: Poland
Director: Jan Komasa
Category: Best International Feature Film
Lost to: Parasite What's it about?:The film follows a religious young man serving a sentence in a juvenile delinquent facility who is released on parole and assigned to work at a sawmill in rural Poland. Upon his arrival, he notices a church in the distance in a nearby town and decides to visit. He meets a local and lies to her, saying that he's a priest from Warsaw. The lie quickly spirals out of control and the young delinquent becomes the spiritual leader at the epicentre of a town reeling from a tragedy that has left unhealed wounds and bitter resentment among the parishioners.
Why you should watch it: The story is original and engrossing and raises some fascinating questions about the role and purpose of religion in modern society. The acting is incredible from every single actor in the film - particularly the lead, Bartosz Bielenia. The pacing is fantastic and the tension is palpable. And before you say the story's too farfetched - the film is, believe it or not, also very loosely based on a real-life story of a young Polish man that pretended he was a priest for several months. You can read about it in the LA Times, who spoke to the director about the film and the inspiration behind it:
LA Times StoryOverall vibe?: Dark, moody, thoughtful, engaging. A good film to watch alone at night and to sit with and think about once it's over.
2020 - The Man Who Sold His SkinFilm: The Man Who Sold His Skin
Country: Tunisia
Director: Kaouther Ben Hania
Category: Best International Feature Film
Lost to: Another RoundWhat's it about?: A Syrian man named Sam escapes from prison after a wrongful arrest amidst the Syrian civil war and must flee to Lebanon, leaving his girlfriend and family behind in the process. The story picks up a year later in Lebanon, with his girlfriend now in Belgium married to a diplomat. While in Beirut, Sam has a chance encounter with an internationally famous artist who has a unique proposition for him - to let him turn Sam's back into his newest art piece in exchange for passage to Belgium.
Why you should watch it: I'm going to be honest with you, this film isn't perfect - the dialogue is regularly clunky, the acting from some of the supporting cast isn't great, the plot feels both too convoluted and too simplistic at the same time, and the themes feel heavy handed and not necessarily handled with the nuance and complexity they deserve. However, I still think it's worth watching. The love story between Sam and Abeer (and the chemistry between the actors) really drives this movie forward, and the film itself is a compelling work of art. Of the 5 films on the list, this is the one delivering the most unique look. There are so many standout scenes and interesting uses of colour, shapes, and framing - it's truly a visual feast and is worth the watch for that alone. The film also has historical significance - it's the first Tunisian film nominated for an Oscar.
Overall vibe?: Strange, surreal, unsettling, mesmerizing. If you've exhausted
Black Mirror episodes and are still waiting for the new season of
Severance, this film should be on your list.
2021 - AtticaFilm: Attica
Country: United States
Director: Traci Curry and Stanley Nelson
Category: Best Documentary Feature
Lost to: Summer of Soul (...Or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised) What's it about?: The documentary delves into the Attica prison uprising in 1971 through video footage, audio recordings, and first hand stories of the prisoners, journalists, and others who were there.
Why you should watch it: It's a comprehensive and incredibly well-constructed documentary that transports viewers back to the moment and helps people understand the full scope and complexity of what happened at Attica. The politics, race relations, and prison system itself are all explored with detail and give context to the simmering tensions and background of the uprising. It is as engaging as it is horrifying and an absolute masterclass in historical storytelling.
Overall vibe?:Emotional, tense, educational, depressing, and powerful. It's one of the best documentaries I've ever seen.
SOURCES:
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
LA Times Story |
2020 |
2021 https://ohnotheydidnt.livejournal.com/124980679.html
