Promotional material for Oppenheimer Photo: Courtesy of Douban

Among all the competitive nominees, the 37th Golden Rooster Awards, one of the most prestigious industry honors in China, has awarded the Best Foreign Language Film to the US movie Oppenheimer. Industry experts have weighed in on the film's impact, noting that it met the awards' criteria, which includes professionalism, artistry, innovation, and diversity.

Oppenheimer, a historical biopic directed by Christopher Nolan, resonated with Chinese audiences through its anti-war narrative, achieving a commendable 452-million-yuan ($62 million) box office take during its run in the Chinese mainland. 

An anonymous film industry insider who has been involved in previous Golden Rooster Awards selections told the Global Times on Sunday that the win was the result of in-depth discussions among the jury. He noted that Oppenheimer is a "deserving recipient" of the Best Foreign Language Film award.

Shi Wenxue, a film critic who is also a preliminary judge of the main competition section at the Beijing International Film Festival, told the Global Times that among the five nominated foreign language films - US psychological thriller Mother's Instinct, US sci-fi blockbuster Dune: Part Two, US documentary Kim's Video, Russian movie The Challenge, and Oppenheimer - Oppenheimer stands out with its unique narrative techniques, superb directing, and well-defined character portrayals. 

"The Golden Rooster Awards focus on criteria such as professionalism, artistry, innovation, and diversity, and Oppenheimer excels in all these areas as it conveys profound contemplation on humanity, morality, society, and history," he said.

It is worth noting that the Golden Rooster Awards' Best Foreign Language Film category is reserved for films that have been publicly screened in the Chinese mainland.

During the award ceremony, a representative from Universal Pictures mentioned the film's contemporary relevance, noting its ability to provide not only visual and auditory spectacle but also profound reflections on civilization. This, they argued, is a reflection of the film's social responsibility and enhancement of societal awareness. 

Acknowledging the "happiness and sense of mission" that come with being a filmmaker, the representative pledged to convey the trophy to the team in the US and expressed the hope that the film will continue to thrive.

In 2023, while promoting Oppenheimer in the Chinese mainland, US director Christopher Nolan expressed his hope that Chinese moviegoers would be able to feel the experiences and imagined quantum world of J. Robert Oppenheimer, which he described as potentially very beautiful, awe-inspiring, and even dangerous.

Nolan's hope was realized. Oppenheimer's exploration of the moral and ethical implications of the scientific advancements during World War II has struck a chord with Chinese moviegoers.

Chinese ticketing platform Beacon released a report during the 37th Golden Rooster Awards, highlighting the high demand among audiences for movies that offer a very strong topical resonance. 

Such films may not be the primary draw for viewers to enter the theater, but they spark extensive post-screening discussions, helping the films break through to wider audiences, the report noted.

Film critic Zhou Liming, who has served as a juror at the Montreal Film Festival, told the Global Times that Oppenheimer was awarded the Best Foreign Language Film due to its "high reputation" and "artistry."

Zhou noted that for a war-themed film to achieve such high box-office success while maintaining narrative appeal is quite rare.

The author is a reporter with the Global Times. life@globaltimes.com.cn