Oscars 2023: The Must-See Films Overlooked for Best Picture

The Films That Deserved Oscar Nominations According to Richard Brody

Richard Brody, a seasoned film critic at the New Yorker, has highlighted several films that, in his opinion, were unjustly overlooked in the Best Picture category at the Oscars. His selection spans a range of genres, themes, and geographical locations, underscoring the rich diversity and depth present in contemporary cinema. Let's delve into these masterpieces and understand why they merited Oscar nominations.

All Dirt Roads Taste of Salt

Directed by Raven Jackson, this film marks her debut in the feature film landscape. Set in the Mississippi Delta Region, it tells the story of McKenzie, nicknamed Mac. The film is a poignant exploration of love in its many forms—renunciation, sacrifice, and the sheer grandeur of human emotions. Jackson employs a blend of grandeur and wonder to narrate this deeply moving melodrama, making it a significant omission from the Oscar nominations.

Passages

Ira Sachs brings to the screen a compelling international feature filmed in Paris. The story revolves around Tomas, a German film director played by Franz Rogowski. Married to a British man, Tomas embarks on an affair with a French woman at the end of a film shoot. The film navigates the complexities of love, happiness, and unhappiness, presenting a serene yet clear-minded vision of life and liberation. The international ensemble cast and the film's tender, pugnacious narrative make it a noteworthy exclusion from the Oscars.

Earth Mama

Savannah Leaf's directorial debut, featuring Tia Noore as the lead, presents a story with documentary-like specificity on the bureaucratic system's control over women, particularly black women. The protagonist, Gia, reclaims control of language and bears witness to the foster care system's injustices. Despite its political perspective, the film is a tender narrative of motherly love and family, showcasing some of the year's most tender close-ups.

Ferrari

Michael Mann's action film is a stylish exploration of grief, death, and confrontation with life's inevitable dangers. The story of Enzo Ferrari, mourning the loss of friends in auto races, combines action with a profound emotional undercurrent. The film's depiction of style as a response to death and danger highlights its thematic depth and visual elegance, making its absence in the Oscar nominations all the more puzzling.

Civic

In a special mention, Richard Brody highlights Civic, a short film by Dwayne The. This 20-minute film captures a young man's return to South Central Los Angeles, filmed entirely within his car. Despite its physical confines, the film achieves an emotional and formal vastness, making it a remarkable piece that transcends its short format.

Conclusion

Richard Brody's selection of overlooked films for the Oscars' Best Picture category showcases the vast array of talent and storytelling present in global cinema. These films, each unique in their thematic exploration and cinematic execution, deserved recognition for their contributions to the art of filmmaking. As we celebrate cinema's power to move, provoke, and inspire, let's not forget these remarkable works that, despite being overlooked by the Oscars, have left a lasting impact on audiences and critics alike.

Explore more about these films and their profound narratives by visiting the original video.