It’s very likely many have seen at least one 2009 best picture nominee, or maybe even the winner. And now that Cannes is only a memory, it’s time to shuffle through the possibilities before the onslaught of Venice, Telluride and Toronto speculation.

Jane Campion’s “Bright Star” is probably the most likely film from the Cannes competition to make inroads with awards season. Campion is one of only three women to be nominated for a best director Oscar (for The Piano, back in 1993). And while her Bright Star didn’t win over the Cannes jury, it’s got the Academy written all over it: Brit-produced, beautifully shot, romantic period piece that’s likely to be a big hit with critics. Stars Ben Winshaw and Abbie Cornish seem like they have shots at lead acting nods, Paul Schneider has been singled out for his supporting performance, and art direction and costume design nominations seem as likely as Up getting an animated feature nod at this point. If the film takes off when it’s released this fall, denying Campion nods for her screenplay and perhaps even directing might be hard for a group that has vastly under-rewarded women in these categories.

Source: IndieWire