According to Cartoon Brew, The Wanted 18, a Palestinian “absurdist documentary” film, has been submitted to be considered for the Best Foreign Language Film category of the upcoming 88th Academy Awards. The film is being co-directed by Palestinian visual artist Amer Shomali and Canadian filmmaker Paul Cowan.
The film tells the story of a number of Palestinian pacifists during the first Palestinian Intifada wherein an effort was made to oppose Israel’s occupation of the areas of Gaza and West Bank by boycotting Israeli products. As a result, these Palestinians started their own dairy farm and bought 18 cows to be “milked for production.” Things get absurd when Israeli forces intervene deeming the cows to be a security threat.
The documentary features scenes focusing on the “wanted 18” cows in question, which are done via stop-motion animation. The rest of the film, including interviews, is live-action just like a regular documentary feature.
Are you excited about this film? Do you think it will be nominated for the Best Foreign Language Film category in the 88th Academy Awards? Let us know in the comments below!
Edited by: Hannah Wilkes