Alain Gomis’ Tey (representing Senegal) and God’s Horses bu by Nabil Ayouch, from Morocco – two Shadow & Act 2013 film highlights – are on the list of 58 films compiled by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association being considered for Golden Globe nominations in the Best Foreign Language Film category.
The fantastical narrative, which stars Saul Williams and Aissa Maiga, follows a man named Satche (played by Williams) during the last 24 hours of his life.
Meanwhile, Moroccan director Nabil Ayouch’s Les Chevaux De Dieu (God’s Horses) which premiered at Cannes 2012, also happens to be Morocco’s entry for Best Foreign Language Film consideration at the Academy Awards this year.
The film is loosely based on the terrorist attacks that took place in Casablanca on May 13, 2003. Ayouch was shocked by these attacks that were committed by a group of kids from a neighborhood that he knew very well, and with this film, he wanted to essentially humanize the suicide bombers, and show that they themselves are/were also victims.
Jonathan Demme has officially attached his name to the film, hoping to help its Oscar chances, but also to ensure that it’s distributed in the USA!
The film, which I’ve yet to see, as it hasn’t made it to my neck of the woods yet, most recently screened at the Austin Film Festival, with Demme shepherding its travels.