Oscars 2021 Review: 8 Ups & 8 Downs

4. Best International Feature Film: Another Round Beats Quo Vadis, Aida?

The Best International Feature Film Oscar predictably went to the Mads Mikkelsen-starring drama Another Round, which while a thoroughly entertaining film in its own right, didn't hit nearly as hard as the category's two strongest nominees.

Bosnian war drama Quo Vadis, Aida? - a towering and important achievement that's arguably superior to most of the Best Picture nominees - likely turned out too bleak for Oscar voters craving some more relatable escapism this year.

The same is true for Romanian documentary Collective, a vital indictment of systemic corruption which, in a year defined by so many reasons to feel cynical about the world, simply didn't connect in the way that Another Round did.

The voting rationale is easy to understand, though if we're voting on films strictly by their quality - as we should - Another Round would be mid-tier in this category.