Zvyagintsev’s “Minotaur” may be France’s Oscar entry

Andrey Zvyagintsev’s latest drama, Minotaur, has emerged as a frontrunner to represent France in the Best International Feature Film category at the Oscars, according to a report by Variety.

The official shortlist is slated for release on September 10, with the final selection announcement to follow on September 16. Minotaur is a co-production between France, Germany, and Latvia. Both Germany and Latvia have already confirmed their Oscar submissions for the 2027 cycle: Germany will send Sandra Wollner’s Every Time—the winner of the 2026 Cannes Un Certain Regard top prize—while Latvia has opted for the black-and-white drama Ulya. Russia has refrained from participating in the Academy Awards since 2022.

Although Zvyagintsev currently resides in France as a refugee, a potential nomination could spark controversy. Variety points out that a similar situation occurred last year with Jafar Panahi’s A Simple Misfortune. While the film was submitted by France and ultimately received a nomination, it faced backlash due to Panahi’s Iranian citizenship and the perception that the film lacked sufficient ties to France beyond its production team.

Insiders note that Zvyagintsev faces stiff competition, including László Nemes’s biopic Moulin and Marine Atlan’s debut feature Gradiva, both of which premiered at Cannes. Minotaur notably competed in the festival’s main competition, where it was awarded the Grand Prix.

The film centers on a high-powered corporate executive (Dmitry Mazurov) whose life unravels when he discovers his wife’s (Iris Lebedeva) infidelity, all while he faces intense pressure at work. The project serves as a reimagining of Claude Chabrol’s La Femme infidèle. Minotaur is scheduled for a theatrical release in France on October 14, followed by a U.S. debut on November 20.

The 99th Academy Awards ceremony is set to take place on March 14, 2027.

Source: Film.ru