Two documentary films -- "Searching for Sugar Man" and "Detropia" -- that have put the spotlight on Detroit, and captured the richness of the city, could be going Hollywood, big time.
Variety, a publication which covers the entertainment industry, reports that the two films have made the shortlist of documentaries that could end up as Oscar nominations. The list was announced Monday by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences.
The two films are among 15 on the shortlist and were picked from a pool of 126 films, Variety reports.
From here, the list of 15 will get whittled down to five nominees, which will be announced on Jan. 10. The Academy Awards are set for Feb. 24 in Los Angeles.
Detropia is a film about Detroit's economic woes as told through some local characters. It was a compelling film.
But Searching for Sugar Man, the story about Detroit musician Sixto Rodriguez, and his many decades of delayed fame in the U.S., not only captured the essence of Detroit, but went far beyond, portraying a Zen-like man who accepted life as is, and of someone who appeared to have few regrets.
It was one of those films that stuck with you for days after, if not far longer.
Whether judges feel the same is another question.
But one thing is certain, many Detroiters will be rooting for both films.
Other films that made the shortlist, according to Variety, included: Alison Klayman-directed "Ai Weiwei: Never Sorry," Lee Hirsch's "Bully," Jeff Orlowski's "Chasing Ice," Heidi Ewing and Rachel Grady's "Detropia" and Rory Kennedy's "Ethel." -- A.L.
