UN Cinema: Global Rivalry for Oscar - Best Foreign Film

The Oscar nominations for Best Foreign Film include some of the best works of world cinema. Here's a rundown of the entries up for the 96th Academy Awards. The list of 15 entries will be announced on Dec. 21, while nominations will be announced on Jan.

ALBANY

Film: "Alexander "

Directed by: Ardit Sadiku

Subject: Documentary about an engineer who, after being discharged from the Navy for insubordination, hijacks a warship to secure his and his family's freedom.

ARGENTINA

Film: "Criminals "

Directed by Rodrigo Moreno

Subject: A light and surreal saga about two coworkers who''conspired to rob the bank where they work.

ARMENIA

Film: "The American"

Directed by Michael A. Gurdjian

BACKGROUND: An Armenian-American man moves to Armenia after World War II and ends up in a Soviet prison for violating tie rules.

AUSTRALIA

Film: "Shaida "

Directed by Noora Niasari

SUMMARY: The Sundance Audience Award-winning drama tells the story of an Iranian immigrant struggling to raise her daughter in a women's shelter.

AUSTRIA

Film: "Faith "

Directors: Tizza Covi, Rainer Frimmel

The plot: Vera Gemma, the daughter of an Italian icon, begins an intense relationship with a poor boy who is traumatized in''car accident.

And so on...

(Translated by translator)