“Monsieur Lazhar” earns nomination for Best Foreign Language Film Oscar

French-Canadian film Monsieur Lazhar has just earned a nomination from the 2012 Academy Awards for Best Foreign Language Film Oscar.

Music Box Films is proud to announce that French-Canadian film Monsieur Lazhar has just earned a nomination from the 2012 Academy Awards for Best Foreign Language Film Oscar. The film is currently screening at the Sundance Film Festival, previously won the Audience Award at last summer’s Locarno Film Festival, and was named Best Canadian Feature the 2011 Toronto International Film Festival.

“This nearly perfect gem begins as a tiny slice of life, but sneaks up on you and packs a wallop by the time it reaches its conclusion,” says Stephen Farber of Hollywood Reporter.

Written and directed by Philippe Falardeau, Monsieur Lazhar tells the story of an immigrant substitute teacher (played by Monhamed Fellag) who brings emotional stability to a middle school class shaken by the unexpected death of their well-liked teacher. The film is the latest production of Microscope, the same Montreal-based production company that produced the Academy Award-nominee Incendies.

In response to the nomination, director Falardeau says, “I rejoice in the fact that such an intimate film can find its way alongside Hollywood productions, proof that there is not only one path to artistic and public recognition.”

Music Box plans a Spring 2012 national release.