The Band's Visit is distinctly “foreign”, but when you got to much of the Shakespeare language melted into your film chances are consideration for foreign language film will be jeopardized. Fate of this great little Israel film is now in the hands of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences – and though the section is very flexible with the rules making exceptions for tons of cases over the years you can bet those involved (including Sony Pictures Classics) have an up hill battle.
The folks at SPC are looking to overturn this – since it could very well men a dip in profits for this title (it is one of those films that would have easily made the 5 nominations cut and had a fair chance at Foreign Oscar) and in the foreign language theatrical business it can be the difference between a long window life in theaters and a quick exit to DVD shelves.
