Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai
Mumbai, Dec 17: India’s official entry Homebound has advanced to the shortlist for the Best International Feature Film category at the 98th Academy Awards, the Academy announced while unveiling shortlists across 12 categories on Tuesday.
A total of 15 films have progressed from 86 eligible countries and regions in the International Feature Film race. The other shortlisted categories include documentary, original song, original score, cinematography, sound, visual effects, makeup and hairstyling, and the newly introduced casting category.
The shortlisted films in the International Feature Film category are Argentina’s Belén, Brazil’s The Secret Agent, France’s It Was Just an Accident, Germany’s Sound of Falling, Iraq’s The President’s Cake, Japan’s Kokuho, Jordan’s All That’s Left of You, Norway’s Sentimental Value, Palestine’s Palestine 36, South Korea’s No Other Choice, Spain’s Sirât, Switzerland’s Late Shift, Taiwan’s Left-Handed Girl, Tunisia’s The Voice of Hind Rajab, and India’s Homebound.
According to the Academy, members from all branches participate in the preliminary voting process and are required to view the eligible films. For the final nomination round, members who opt in must watch all 15 shortlisted films before casting their votes.
Set in a village in northern India, Homebound narrates the story of two childhood friends preparing for the national police examination, which they see as a path to dignity and stability. As they move closer to their goal, their friendship is tested by repeated setbacks and growing disillusionment.
Explaining the inspiration behind the film, director Neeraj Ghaywan said Homebound was inspired by a true story. “It started with an op-ed essay in The New York Times. It was a real incident that happened in India and revolved around friendship and what happened to these friends during the pandemic,” he said.
Ghaywan added that the film uses the bond between the two friends to explore larger global issues. “I wanted to talk about what makes migrants leave their homes in rural India or elsewhere in the world. It’s not just about jobs or money; it’s also deeply existential,” he said.