Jason Loftus’s hybrid documentary Eternal Spring has been selected from a pool of 16 films to represent Canada at the 2023 Oscars.
Lofty Sky Entertainment produced and Sideways Film handles international sales on the film, which marks the 20th anniversary of the hacking of Chinese state TV in March 2002 by outlawed Chinese religious group Falun Gong.
Comic book illustrator Daxiong (Justice League, Star Wars) was a Falun Gong practitioner and fled the country after the hack triggered police raids. Arriving in North America, he initially blamed the hacking for intensifying state repression, however his views changed when he met the sole surviving participant to have escaped China, now living in Seoul.
Combining present-day footage with 3D animation inspired by the work of Daxiong, Eternal Spring tells a story of defiance, persecution and the fight to speak out.
The film premiered at Thessaloniki Documentary Festival and went on to play Hot Docs, among others. It will open across Canada on September 23.
“It is with great enthusiasm that we announce that Eternal Spring (長春) was selected from among 16 films submitted to the pan-Canadian selection committee for having the best chance of positioning itself well in the multi-stage Oscar race,” said Christa Dickenson, Telefilm Canada executive director and CEO.
“This venture represents an exceptional opportunity for Eternal Spring (長春) to reach new audiences and offers a golden opportunity to showcase the high quality of Canadian filmmaking. That is why Telefilm will be supporting the film team in this prestigious competition and we wish them the best of luck.”
Eight Canadian films have been nominated in what was until recently known as the best foreign language film category: Rebelle in 2013; Monsieur Lazhar and In Darkness in 2012; Incendies in 2011; and Water in 2007.
The list includes three films by Denys Arcand: Canada’s only Oscar winner The Barbarian Invasions in 2004; The Decline Of The American Empire in 1987; and Jésus Of Montréal in 1990.
Telefilm Canada coordinated and chaired the pan-Canadian selection committee and did not take a voting right. The committee comprises around 20 members representing government agencies and national film industry associations.
The Academy will unveil its shortlist of 15 films on December 21 ahead of the nominations announcement on January 24, 2023. The 95th Academy Awards will take place on March 12, 2023.
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