Oscars: Australia Celebrates Record 13 Nominations
There were celebrations across Australia – and Vanuatu – as news of a record 13 Oscar nominations for three Australian films, Lion, Hacksaw Ridge and Tanna, landed on Wednesday. The nominations set a number of precedents: Hacksaw Ridge and Lion mark the first time two Australian films have been nominated in the best picture category and Tanna, shot in Vanuatu, is Australia’s first ever best foreign language film nominee.
Tanna co-director and producer, Bentley Dean, told The Hollywood Reporter he is looking forward to introducing the people of Yakel, whose story is told in the film, to Hollywood.
“It took a bit of time to explain the significance of an Oscar nomination to the villagers of Yakel, but they are extremely proud and looking forward to hitting the red carpet for the awards ceremony,” Dean said. Of his and co-director Martin Butler’s response: “Martin and I are full of smiles.”
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