The Spanish Film Academy has made its final selection for the Spanish film to compete in the Best Film in a Foreign Language category at the Oscars. ‘También la lluvia’ – Even the Rain held off the favourite for the nomination, prison drama ‘Celda 211’. Shot in Bolivia by Madrid born director, Icíar Bollaín, it is a story about two people who want to make a film about Christopher Columbus from different perspectives. It stars Luis Tosar, who was in all three of the shortlisted Spanish Film Academy nominations this year, and Gael Garcia Fernal, and still has not opened in Spain, and will not do so until the New Year. It also stars the singer Najwa Nimri.

Icíar Bollain said that he was very happy to be nominated and it would be exciting to see what happens next.
‘The important thing is to take part, and if you win the prize, so much the better’, he said. He said he thought the film had possibilities because it deals with subjects which attract the United States. The American Film Acedemy will announce the shortlist for the category on January 25, and the 83rd Oscars ceremony will be held on February 27.

‘También la lluvia’ is also nominated in the 53rd edition of the Ariel prizes in Mexico. There is another chance for Spanish success at the Oscars this year as ‘Biutiful’ from the Mexican film maker, Alejandro González Iñárritu, has been chosen to represent Mexico at the Oscars, and it stars the ever popular Spaniard, Javier Bardem.