Sweden Submits 'Eagles of the Republic' for Oscars as Venice Film Festival Kicks Off
Sweden submits 'Eagles of the Republic' for Oscars as Venice Film Festival begins.
Key Points
- • Tarik Saleh's 'Eagles of the Republic' is Sweden's Oscar submission.
- • The film is part of Saleh's Cairo Trilogy and stars Fares Fares.
- • The Venice Film Festival runs from August 27 to September 6, featuring numerous celebrities and politically charged films.
- • The festival is influenced by the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, prompting political discussions.
As the 82nd Venice Film Festival begins on August 27, 2025, Sweden has proudly submitted Tarik Saleh's film 'Eagles of the Republic' as its entry for the Oscars, vying for recognition in the Best International Feature Film category. This is particularly notable as it is part of Saleh's acclaimed Cairo Trilogy, which also includes the award-winning 'The Nile Hilton Incident' and 'Boy from Heaven'. saleh emphasizes the cultural significance of representing Sweden through a film set in Egypt, stating, "I had not dared to dream of this when I was young, to make films and represent Sweden."
Set to compete for awards in Venice, the festival showcases a blend of star power and pressing societal issues, with attendance from A-list celebrities such as Cate Blanchett and George Clooney. However, the festival is overshadowed by the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza, prompting political discourse and planned protests. Notable films featured include 'Mother', where Noomi Rapace portrays Mother Teresa, and 'A House of Dynamite' starring Rebecca Ferguson, directed by Kathryn Bigelow.
"Eagles of the Republic" tells the story of George Fahmy, a beloved Egyptian actor portrayed by Fares Fares, who reluctantly accepts a role in a politically motivated film. The film premiered at Cannes, receiving positive feedback but did not win any awards. Saleh and the production team are gearing up for an extensive Oscar campaign, hoping to make it past the initial selection hurdles which will narrow down the entries for the first shortlist announced on December 16, followed by nominations on January 22.