Films from Hungary, France and Colombia head Oscar short list for best foreign language film

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has announced the nine films that will advance to the next round of voting for the best foreign language Oscar. Four of the films — “The Brand New Testament” from Belgium, Jaco Van Dormael, director; Finland’s “The Fencer,” Klaus Härö, director; France’s “Mustang,” Deniz Gamze Ergüven, director; and Hungary’s “Son of Saul,” László Nemes, director — were nominated for Golden Globes last week.

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Also on the short list are Colombia’s “Embrace of the Serpent,” Ciro Guerra, director, Denmark’s “A War,” Tobias Lindholm, director; Germany’s “Labyrinth of Lies,” Giulio Ricciarelli, director; Ireland’s “Viva,” Paddy Breathnach, director; and Jordan’s “Theeb,” Naji Abu Nowar, director.

Among the noteworthy omissions were Hou Hsiao-Hsien’s “The Assassin,” from “Taiwan; Brazil’s “Second Mother”; and Sweden’s “A Pigeon Sat on a Branch Reflecting on Existence.”

“Son of Saul,” “Mustang” and “Theeb” are currently in local theaters. “Labyrinth opened in Los Angeles on Sept. 30. “The Fencer” opens the Palm Springs International Film Festival on January 1.

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Eighty films were originally submitted for consideration. Special committees will vote to decide the five nominated films, which will be announced Jan. 14.

kevin.crust@latimes.com