Reasons I like the Academy Foreign Language Committee

I feel privileged every time I accompany Rob to one of the Academy Foreign Language Committee screenings. This year 63 foreign language films were submitted and it's up to the committee to whittle the number down to the five that will receive Academy nominations.   When you wake up early on Saturday morning to drive to Beverly Hills and then hear that you're about to see a two hour twenty minute movie from Korea, you don't exactly jump for joy.  But after said movie, when you feel like you've just seen something profoundly moving and universal (even if too long), then you realized what a special part of movie history you've just participated in.

My top reasons for going are:

1.  No expectations.  No hype.  

2.  No stars (generally).

3.  No big budgets (generally).  

4.  A non-Hollywood peak into a different land and culture

5.  The audience is silent.  Bliss.