Uruguay has submitted "Breadcrumbs' to represent the country at the Oscars. The film was directed by Manane Rodriguez and is a co-production with Spain.

The film marks the fifth feature film for the director who is well known in Uruguay and it is the first time the director represents the country at the Academy Awards.

Uruguay has had a short history with the Academy as it began submitting in 1992 with the film "A Place in the World." The film was nominated for the Oscar but controversy quickly arose when rumors began circulating that the film had minimal Uruguayan artistic input. According to many the film was shot by an Argentine writer/director in Argentina, the plot was set in Argentina, and the cast and crew were from Argentina. Furthermore the film was originally in the running to represent Argentina in the Oscar race and it represented Argentina at the Golden Globes. As a result, the Academy disqualified the film and was removed from the ballot.

After the controversy, Uruguay took nine years to submit again at the Academy. The country started submitting again 2001 and since then has submitted regularly. Last year Uruguay submitted "A Moonless Night." That film premiered at the San Sebastian Film Festival and went on to receive international acclaim.

Uruguay's submission this year lacks the festival acclaim films like "Chevalier," "Neruda," "Death in Sarajevo," "Letters from War," "On the Other Side." "Toni Erdman," "Julietta," and "The Happiest Day in the Life of the Olli Maki" have. However, with such an unpredictable category like the foreign language one anything is possible.

The Academy is known for choosing some of the most critically acclaimed films out of the festival circuit. Most films that win the category have distribution deals lined up out festivals and have buzz from the beginning of awards season. Recently "Son of Saul," "Ida," "The Great Beauty," and "The Secret in Their Eyes" won the Best Foreign language category.

The Foreign Language Film deadline to submit is Oct. 3. On Jan. 17 the Academy will announce the nine finalists from among the eligible films and on Jan. 24 nominations will be announced. The winner will be announced at the Oscar ceremony on Feb. 26.

Related