Park Chan Wook's Korean film Decision To Leave failed to make it to the Top 5 nominees in the Best International Feature Film Category at the 95th Academy Awards.
The 2023 Oscars announced its list of nominees on Tuesday, presenting different actors, actresses, shows and films to the public. For its Best International Feature Film nominees, the Academy named Argentina 1985 (Argentina), All Quiet on the Western Front (Germany), Close (Belgium), The Quiet Girl (Ireland) and EO (Poland) made it to the cut.
The absence of Park Chan Wook's Decision To Leave sparked fury, as fans said the Oscars "missed the chance" to honor the hit film.
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Exclusion of Park Chan Wook's Decision To Leave Leads to Protest
Critics, fans and experts expressed their disappointment after learning that Decision To Leave was not able to appear on the final nominees. Park Chan Wook's movie was initially shortlisted in December alongside 14 other films.
According to the public, the Academy "unfairly" snubbed the movie, which had been referred to as a possible strong Oscar contender after its director won the directing prize at Cannes.
Journalist and producer Pierce Conran wrote on Twitter, "Shocked not to see DECISION TO LEAVE nominated for Best International Film at the Academy Awards, a film that really should have been a contender in several categories. Awards momentum is a fickle beast."
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Fans were also disappointed as it felt like the film had been "criminally overlooked," per The Korea Herald.
Some critics, on the other hand, said that the film failed because the Oscars itself has shortcomings.
Film critic Jung Deok Hyun told The Korea Herald that the Oscars remains conservative that only likes popular films.
"Compared to the US adventure film 'Everything Everywhere All at Once,' Park's film lacked mass appeal," he said. "It is true that K-content has been receiving global attention in recent years."
Decision To Leave Has Chance in BAFTA
Despite the Oscars snub, Decision To Leave has the chance to bring home two recognitions from the EE British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) Film Awards. Park Chan Wook's film has been nominated for Best Director and Best Film Not in the English Language Award.
The director is up against the directors of All Quiet on the Western Front, Tar, The Woman King, Everything Everywhere All at Once, and The Banshees of Inisherin.
Meanwhile, the other nominees for the Best Film Not in the English Language include Argentina 1985, The Quiet Girl, Corsage and All Quiet on the Western Front.
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