China has chosen Shen Ao’s “Dead to Rights” as its submission for the best international feature film category at the 98th Academy Awards.
Written by Shen Ao, Zhang Ke, and Xu Luyang, and set against the backdrop of the 1937 Nanjing Massacre and drawing from documented historical events, “Dead to Rights” follows A Chang (Liu Haoran of the “Detective Chinatown” franchise), a postman who assumes the identity of a photo developer to survive the Japanese occupation. Operating from within the walls of a Japanese-controlled studio, he covertly shelters Chinese soldiers and civilians in an act of quiet resistance.
The film is produced by Furuo Qing of “The Wandering Earth” franchise fame. Niu Vision Media and Echelon Studios released the film in North America in August.
“Dead to Rights” opened in China on July 25 and has grossed more than RMB3 billion ($415 million). It led the local box office for 16 consecutive days over the summer.
China has yet to win the international feature Oscar. The country has scored two nominations in the category to date, with Zhang Yimou’s “Ju Dou” (1991) and “Hero” (2003). Hong Kong, which submits separately, has earned three nominations: Zhang Yimou’s “Raise the Red Lantern” (1992), Chen Kaige’s “Farewell My Concubine” (1994) and Derek Tsang’s “Better Days” (2021).
Last year, China submitted Fang Li’s documentary “The Sinking of the Lisbon Maru,” which was disqualified by the Academy for not meeting language requirements.
The Oscar international feature shortlist will be announced on Dec. 16 and the final five nominees will be announced on Jan. 22.