9 Films Advance in Foreign Language Race

AMPAS released its shortlist of nine films that will compete for five nomination slots when the nominations are announced Tuesday morning.

A SEPARATION.

There are some circles protesting the absence of Mexico's Miss Bala and Finland's wonderful Le Havre, but with Iran's A Separation on the list I can't really complain.

Here is this year's shortlist:

• Belgium, "Bullhead," Michael R. Roskam, director; 
• Canada, "Monsieur Lazhar," Philippe Falardeau, director; 
• Denmark, "Superclásico," Ole Christian Madsen, director; 
• Germany, "Pina," Wim Wenders, director;
• Iran, "A Separation," Asghar Farhadi, director;
• Israel, "Footnote," Joseph Cedar, director; 
• Morocco, "Omar Killed Me," Roschdy Zem, director; 
• Poland, "In Darkness," Agnieszka Holland, director; 
• Taiwan, "Warriors of the Rainbow: Seediq Bale," Wei Te-sheng, director.

Nominations will be announced Tuesday, January 24, and 8:30 am EST (5:30 am PST).