Advertisement

France chooses 'Elle' from 'Basic Instinct' director as its foreign-language Oscar selection

"Elle" by Paul Verhoeven stars Isabelle Huppert

France has revealed Dutch director Paul Verhoeven's first French-language film "Elle", as its submission for the best foreign-language film category at the Oscars.

The film, starring Isabelle Huppert, was selected from a shortlist of four films, including Daniele Thompson's "Cezanne and I", starring Guillaume Canet and Guillaume Gallienne; Francois Ozon's post-World War I drama "Frantz"; and Anne Fontaine's Sundance entry "The Innocents."

"Elle" which drew "drew stellar -- if controversial -- reviews in Cannes", follows the story of a rape victim on the revenge trail (via The Hollywood Reporter).

The selection committee was chaired by National Cinema Center head Frederique Bredin, Cannes Film Festival head Thierry Fremaux, French Academy president Alain Terzain, film promotion body Unifrance president Jean-Paul Salome, film financing aid body president Teresa Cremisi, "Intouchables" director Eric Toledano and actresses Sandrine Bonnaire and Lea Seydoux (of "Bond" fame).