Don’t you love to be an early discoverer?

Watching film festivals and taking note of who wins the awards, paying attention to the independent theatre programming, reading.

But by the time a filmmaker gets an Academy Award nomination you are not alone in your discovery. Except for the Foreign Language category. In North America we seldom have the opportunity to see those films but I’m hoping that’s a trend in reverse.

Two nominated films are going to be playing in Victoria over the next month and there is a new talent to watch: László Nemes. Making his debut feature, the 38-year-old director nominee for Son of Saul is unforgettable. I know a lot of folks will be put off because it’s a holocaust story but it’s the most exciting film of the year and it’s rich and powerful. For a lighter note and a big, big hit at the Victoria Film Festival, check out a wonderful comedy The Brand New Testament by Jaco Van Dormael. God’s living in Belgium and he’s a cranky old guy. This is a delight! Also returning is Rams, not nominated but an Icelandic film with humour and soul.