France Makes a 'Declaration of War' in Foreign-Language Oscar Race

PARIS -- A Declaration of War has been made between France and the other countries vying for a foreign-language Oscar nod with Valerie Donzelli's film chosen to be the French entry in the 84th annual Oscar race.

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Based on Donzelli's personal experience, the emotional Declaration of War (La guerre est declaree) talks about the struggle she and the father of her child endured when they found out their son had a brain tumor.

France's state film body the CNC announced the selection on Friday after its selection committee debated all morning.

The film was produced by Rectangle Productions in association with Wild Bunch and premiered to strong reviews at this year's Festival de Cannes in May.

Sundance Selects has taken U.S. rights to the title that is being sold by Wild Bunch on the international market.

The selection committee featured government officials plus Festival de Cannes topper Thierry Fremaux and Gallic talents appointed by France's Cultural Minister Frederic Mitterand.

Black and white silent film The Artist was rumored to be the frontrunner for the honor, which keeps the Weinstein co-distributed title still in the running for other Oscar nods not in the foreign-language category.