Zhang Yimou's war epic fails to win over Academy voters

Poster of 'The Flowers of War'

Chinese director Zhang Yimou's latest war epic "The Flowers of War" failed to advance into the first round of contention for the best foreign language film award at the 84th Academy Awards, as the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences short-listed nine movies for the next round of voting.

The film, one of China's highest grossing film which stars Academy Award best supporting actor Christian Bale in the role of a Westerner who attempts to lead a group of Chinese women seeking refuge in a church to safety during Japan's rape of Nanjing in 1937, was not included in a list of nine films, which features Iranian Golden Globe winner "A Separation"; "Warriors of the Rainbow: Seediq Bale," a war flick by Wei Te-sheng from Taiwan, China; Polish Holocaust drama "In Darkness"; "Bullhead" (Belgium); "Monsieur Lazhar" (Canada); "Superclasico" (Denmark); "Pina" ( Germany); "Footnote" (Israel); and "Omar Killed Me" (Morocco).

Zhang Yimou also walked away empty-handed from the 69th annual Golden Globes held in Hollywood, Los Angeles Sunday evening as Asghar Farhadi's drama "The Separation" was crowned with the best foreign language film trophy.

A total of 63 films had been deemed qualified for the contention.

Special committees based in Los Angeles and New York will pick up five nominees this weekend. The Academy will announce the nominees on Jan. 24 and hold the award ceremony at the Kodak Theatre on Feb. 26.