Chile has officially chosen its entry for the 2024 Academy Awards, selecting Felipe Gálvez’s highly acclaimed anti-colonialist western film “The Settlers” to compete in the Best International Feature category. The movie premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in the Un Certain Regard section earlier this year, gaining critical acclaim for its exploration of the massacre of Indigenous tribes by Spanish landowners in 19th century Chile. It also received the international film critics’ Fipresci prize, further solidifying its reputation as a must-watch film.
“The Settlers” will have its North American premiere at the prestigious Toronto Film Festival next month. Distribution rights for the film have been secured by Mubi, a prominent streaming platform, which plans to release it theatrically in North America. Mubi has also acquired distribution rights for the film in the UK, Latin America, Turkey, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Italy, Benelux, and India. These strategic moves suggest a strong belief in the film’s potential to captivate international audiences and continue its success.
The story of “The Settlers” revolves around three horsemen, including a young Chilean mestizo, an American mercenary, and a reckless British lieutenant. These men are hired by a wealthy Chilean landowner to demarcate the perimeter of his vast property and create a route to the Atlantic Ocean through Patagonia. However, what starts as an expedition quickly devolves into a violent colonization effort, with the group resorting to massacring Chile’s native peoples to pave the way for the expansion of their employer’s agricultural empire. The film explores the themes of imperialism, power dynamics, and the consequences of unchecked ambition.
Chile has a notable history at the Academy Awards. In 2012, Pablo Larraín’s political docudrama “No” became the first Chilean film to receive a nomination for Best International Feature. The country secured its first Oscar win with Sebastián Lelio’s groundbreaking transgender drama “A Fantastic Woman” in 2017. Additionally, Maite Alberdi and Marcela Santibáñez’s documentary “The Mole Agent,” which follows an 83-year-old undercover investigator in a Chilean nursing home, made the shortlist for Best International Feature and received a nomination for Best Documentary. These achievements reflect the growing influence and recognition of Chilean cinema on the global stage.
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The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences will unveil the shortlist for the 2024 Oscars on December 21. From the shortlist, five nominees will be selected and announced on January 23. The 95th Oscars ceremony is scheduled to take place on March 10 at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, where the film industry’s most celebrated event will honor the most outstanding films of the past year.
“The Settlers” represents a significant contribution from Chile’s film industry, showcasing the country’s rich storytelling and the talent of its filmmakers. Its depiction of historical atrocities and its exploration of the long-lasting effect of colonization resonate with audiences worldwide, raising awareness of important issues and spurring meaningful conversations. As an entrant in the Best International Feature category at the Oscars, “The Settlers” has the potential to make a significant impact on the global stage, solidifying Chile’s position as a powerful force in the world of cinema.
In conclusion, Chile has chosen “The Settlers” as its official entry for the 2024 Academy Awards in the Best International Feature category. The film has garnered critical acclaim for its thought-provoking narrative and its exploration of colonialism in 19th century Chile. With its scheduled premieres and distribution deals, “The Settlers” is poised to captivate audiences around the world and further elevate Chilean cinema on the international stage. The impending Oscar nominations will determine the film’s ultimate fate, but regardless of the outcome, “The Settlers” has already left a lasting impact on the industry and represents the artistic excellence of Chile’s film community.
