Martin Scorsese's A Ciambra selected as Italy's pick for Best Foreign Language film at Oscars 2018

Los Angeles: Italy has selected Martin Scorsese-produced film A Ciambra to represent the country in the Best Foreign Language category at the 90th Academy Awards next year. [caption id=“attachment_4087709” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] A still from A Ciambra. Youtube screengrab[/caption] The movie has been executive produced by Martin Scorsese, which debuted at Cannes in the Directors Fortnight section — winning the Europa Cinema Labels Award, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The Jonas Carpignano-directed film is set in the Romani community of Southern Italy, and narrates the story of 14- year-old Pio Amato and how he deals with challenges after his older brother disappears. It is touted to be a companion piece to the director’s first feature, Mediterranea (2015). Last year, Italy chose Gianfranco Rosi’s Fire at Sea as its official entry to the Oscars, which did not secure a foreign-language film nomination but was nominated for best documentary. Italy holds the record for most Foreign Language Film Oscar victories, with 14 in total — including three honorary prizes — over 31 nominated movies. Director Paolo Sorrentino last won the Academy Award for The Great Beauty in 2014.