Accused (Lucia De B.) made the Oscars shortlist

The Dutch Oscar-entry ACCUSED (LUCIA DE B.) has made the Oscar-shortlist, which means it’s now officially one of the nine best Foreign Language films in the world, according to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. In light of the record number of submissions from 83 countries, this is a major result.

Already announced was the film’s festival premiere, which will be at the International Film Festival in Palm Springs, California in early January. This festival has traditionally selected many films that turned out to be Oscar-winners a month later.

Producer Reinier Selen is incredibly proud that ACCUSED has already made it this far. “This is really unbelievable. A crowning achievement for all those people who have put so much passion and energy into this wonderful production.” Creative producer Jelle Nesna adds: ”Moreover, we consider the film’s international recognition a recognition of the injustice done to Lucia de Berk, which is just as important.”

Should the film get nominated, it would be the second time a film by Paula van der Oest is awarded such a great honor, following 2001’s tragicomedy ZUS & ZO (a.k.a HOTEL PARAISO). Other shortlisted films are IDA (Poland), TURIST (Sweden) and WILD TALES (Argentina). We will find out on 15 January 2015 which five films will receive the actual nominations. The award ceremony will be held on 22 February in Los Angeles.