In a significant achievement for Indian cinema, the film 'Homebound' has secured a coveted spot on the shortlist for the Best International Feature Film category at the upcoming 98th Academy Awards. The announcement was made by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences as it revealed shortlists across 12 other categories, including documentary, original song, and the newly introduced casting award.
A Global Showcase of Cinema
The Academy's selection process saw 15 films advance from a pool of 86 eligible countries and regions, creating a diverse and powerful shortlist. 'Homebound' will compete with cinematic entries from around the world. The selected titles include Argentina's 'Belén', Brazil's 'The Secret Agent', France's 'It Was Just an Accident', Germany's 'Sound of Falling', Iraq's 'The President's Cake', Japan's 'Kokuho', Jordan's 'All That's Left of You', Norway's 'Sentimental Value', Palestine's 'Palestine 36', South Korea's 'No Other Choice', Spain's 'Sirât', Switzerland's 'Late Shift', Taiwan's 'Left-Handed Girl', and Tunisia's 'The Voice of Hind Rajab'.
The rigorous voting process involves Academy members from all branches participating in preliminary rounds, which requires viewing the eligible films. For the final nomination stage, members who choose to participate must watch all 15 shortlisted movies before casting their decisive votes.
The Heart of 'Homebound': Friendship and Migration
Directed by Neeraj Ghaywan, 'Homebound' is a poignant narrative set in a village in northern India. The film traces the journey of two childhood friends who are diligently preparing for the national police examination. They view this career path as a gateway to dignity and financial stability. However, as they navigate the challenges and move closer to their goal, their enduring friendship faces severe tests from personal setbacks and a creeping sense of disillusionment.
Director's Inspiration: A Story Rooted in Reality
Explaining the core idea behind the film, director Neeraj Ghaywan revealed that the inspiration came from a true story published in an op-ed essay in The New York Times. "Homebound started with this op-ed essay in The New York Times. It was a true story that happened in India, and it was a story of friendship and what happened to these friends during the journey [during] the pandemic," Ghaywan stated.
He further elaborated on the film's deeper thematic concerns, saying, "I wanted to use that as a base friendship, as a strong way to talk about our bigger concerns that the world is now grappling with, which is that what makes migrants leave their homes in rural India or across the world? What are the things that motivate them? It's not just jobs, it's not just money, it's also existential."
What This Oscar Shortlist Means
This shortlisting marks a major milestone for the Indian film industry on the global stage. The Academy Awards, or Oscars, represent the highest recognition in world cinema. Being selected among the top 15 international films from dozens of contenders underscores the film's artistic merit and universal storytelling appeal. The final nominations for the 98th Academy Awards will be announced in the coming weeks, determining which of these 15 shortlisted films will compete for the golden statuette.
The achievement of 'Homebound' highlights the growing impact and recognition of Indian narratives that tackle complex, globally relevant social issues, moving beyond traditional cinematic boundaries.
