Oscar nomination for the Filmstiftung-backed debut „Mustang“
Oscar nomination for the Filmstiftung-backed debut „Mustang“ by director Deniz Gamze Ergüven
- Chances of an Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film
- French-German-Turkish coming-of-age story about five Turkish girls
- Awards ceremony on 28 February, 2016 in Los Angeles
„Mustang“, the Filmstiftung-backed debut by the Turkish director Deniz Gamze Ergüven, has been nominated for the Oscars in the Best Foreign Language Film category. This has just been announced by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. „Mustang“ had already made it to the shortlist, the top 9 of those productions which were then whittled down to the final five official nominations. The film was submitted by France.
Petra Müller, CEO of the Film- und Medienstiftung NRW: „Congratulations to the ‚Mustang‘ team, first and foremost, the director Deniz Gamze Ergüven and the two NRW co-producers Anja Uhland and Frank Henschke. The Oscar nomination is the latest milestone in a magnificent success story which ‚Mustang‘ has been writing since its world premiere in Cannes. We are now eagerly awaiting the Oscar ceremony on 28 February!“
The international co-production „Mustang“ sees the Turkish director Deniz Gamze Ergüven telling a coming-of-age story about five Turkish girls fighting for their freedom and self-determination. „Mustang“ was produced by Düsseldorf-based Vistamar Filmproduktion, Cologne’s Uhlandfilm, CG Cinema (F) and BAM Films (TR). The leads are played by Günes Sensoy, Doga Zeynep Doguslu, Tugba Sungurolgu, Elit Iscan and Ilayda Akdogan. The Filmstiftung NRW supported with 100,000 Euros, ZDF/ARTE is a TV partner. Other backers include FFA Minitraité, Eurimages and the Doha Film Institute. World sales are being handled by France’s Kinology. Weltkino will be releasing the film in German cinemas on 25 February, 2016.
The film had its world premiere in Cannes in 2015 where it could be seen in the „Quinzaine des Réalisateurs“ sidebar, and it was subsequently awarded the „Europa Cinemas Label“. „Mustang“ was also recognised in Sarajevo, Odessa and at the Filmfest Hamburg, among others, and won the European Parliament’s LUX Film Prize. The film received the Prix FIPRESCI – European Discovery at the European Film Awards last December. „Mustang“ was also nominated for a Golden Globe as Best Foreign Language Film.
The other four contenders for Best Foreign Language Film are „Son of Saul“ (Hungary), „Embrace of the Serpent“ (Colombia), „War“ (Denmark) and „Theeb“ (Jordan).
The 88th Oscar ceremony takes place on 28 February, 2016 at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles.