LOS ANGELES, Calif. - Mehta's acclaimed film "Water" was one of nine foreign language films to make a shortlist announced Wednesday by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. It's the first time the group has released such a list, which was chosen from 61 qualifying films in the category.
"Water" is set in 1938 India, against Mahatma Gandhi's rise to power, and tells the story of the appalling treatment of Hindu widows, including an eight-year-old girl.
Earlier this month, "Water" received a prestigious American honour when it won the National Board of Review's Freedom of Expression award.
The other eight movies in the running: "Days of Glory" from Algeria, "After the Wedding" from Denmark, "Avenue Montaigne" from France, "The Lives of Others" from Germany, "Pan's Labyrinth" from Mexico, "Black Book" from the Netherlands, "Volver" from Spain and "Vitus" from Switzerland.
From among the nine, a committee of voters in Los Angeles and New York will select the five Academy Award nominees.
Nominations will be announced Jan. 23. The awards will be presented Feb. 25.
