Ukrainian war drama “Bad Roads” has been nominated to represent Ukraine at the 94th Academy Awards.
The Ukrainian Oscar Committee announced on Sept. 24 that the film will be submitted for the Best International Feature Film category.
“It is a great honor for us,” the film’s Instagram page posted following the news.
“Bad Roads” is the directorial debut of acclaimed Ukrainian playwright Natalya Vorozhbit. The picture is based on her eponymous 2017 play.
The film tells five short human-focused stories set on both sides of the frontline in Ukraine’s eastern region of Donbas, as Russia’s war continues to destroy the area and lives of locals and soldiers posted there.
The short stories range from a drunk school teacher with a fake weapon for a class demonstration trying to cross a military checkpoint, a dark comedy-drama about a Ukrainian medic who’s driving her lover’s body out from the warzone, an intense story of a Ukrainian female journalist held captive by a separatist militant and more.
“Bad Roads” has been well received domestically and internationally.
It premiered in September 2020 at the Venice Film Festival in the Critics’ Week program, receiving an award from critics under 35 for “best innovative work.”
Vorozhbit was honored by Ukrainian critics as the discovery of the year at the Kinokolo film critics awards in October. Though it didn’t win the main best picture prize, “Bad Roads” was the biggest winner at Kinokolo by award count. It also picked up prizes for best actress and best actor.
Film critic: ‘Bad Roads’ is most humane look at war in Ukraine
Four other Ukrainian films were up against “Bad Roads” for Ukraine’s Oscars nomination including Katerina Gornostay’s “Stop-Zemlia,” Valentin Vasyanovich’s “Reflection,” Oleg Sentsov’s “Rhino” and Vilen Novak’s “Why I’m Alive.”
A list of 15 nominees for Best International Feature Film will be released on Dec. 21, with the final five contenders announced on Feb. 8, 2022.
The 94th Academy Awards will take place on March 27 at the Dolby Theater in Los Angeles.
