Switzerland picks ‘Divine Order’ for Oscars 2018

Switzerland has selected ‘The Divine Order’ as its representative at the Oscars 2018.

A drama about the fight for women’s suffrage in Europe, the film tells the story of Swiss women who finally won the right to vote in 1971.

The flick stars Marie Leuenberger as a young housewife and mother living in a Swiss village who goes into the campaign.

‘The Divine Order’ directed by Petra Volpe was premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival and won the audience award and an actress honor for Leuenberger.

Handling international sales on the title, TrustNordisk signed deals for more than 15 states to distribute ‘The Divine Order’.

Produced by Lucerne-based Zodiac Pictures and starring Max Simonischeck, Marta Zoffoli, Nicholas Ofczarek and Sofia Helin, the Swiss film snagged the Audience and Norah Ephron awards and best actress Jury Prize (Leuenberger) at this year’s Tribeca Film Festival, as well as two new kudos at the 13th Traverse City Film Festival.

Selling more than 300,000 tickets for a total box office of about $4.5 million, the movie has been box-office hit in Switzerland.

Switzerland’s entry last year for the foreign language Oscar was Claude Barras’ ‘My Life as a Zucchini’ that made the December shortlist in the foreign-language category and earned a nomination as best animated feature.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences will announce its shortlist of the films in the running for the 2018 foreign language category in December. The final Oscar nominations will be announced on January 23.

The 90th edition of the Academy Awards is slated for March 4 in Los Angeles.

MG/MG