China Picks Shen Ao’s “Dead to Rights” as Official Oscar 2025 Entry: Can This Wartime Epic Finally Break the Curse?

By ultapaltakhabar Sep 28, 20250

With box power glory, vital acclaim, and a gripping story set during the Nanjing Massacre, Shen Ao’s blockbuster “Dead to Rights” emerges as China’s bold bet for the 98th Academy Awards.

When it comes to the ‘‘Academy Awards’ Best International Feature Film category’’, China has always had a bittersweet history — plenty of world-class films, worldwide box power force, yet no favorable statue to exhibit for it. This yr, still, Beijing has placed its hopes on a wartime endurance drama that has already conquered place audiences: Shen Ao’s ‘‘“Dead to Rights.”‘‘

The take, which released on July 25 in China and grossed a jaw-dropping ‘‘RMB 3 billion ($415 million)’’, has become more than simply a box office demon. It’s now a cultural moment — one that the Chinese Oscar commission believes could eventually breakout the decades-long really dry spell.

A Story of Resistance Amid Horror

Set in ‘‘1937 during the Nanjing Massacre’’, “Dead to Rights” doesn’t flinch from showing one of the darkest chapters in chronicle. Shen Ao, very known for his very sharp storytelling, teams up with writers ‘‘Zhang Ke and Xu Luyang’’ to craft a tale both intimate and epic.

At its centre is ‘‘A Chang (played by Liu Haoran of the “Detective Chinatown” franchise)’’, a modest postman whose very ordinary lifetime is shattered by war. To endure the Japanese job, he assumes the identity of a photo developer interior a Japanese-controlled studio. But his role presently transforms into one of resistance — as he secretly shelters Chinese soldiers and civilians within the very walls that serve the enemy.

It’s a story of so quiet heroism, betrayal, and selection — the very kind of emotionally charged narrative that the Academy often favors, especially when rooted in historical truth.

Star Power Meets Prestige Filmmaking

Casting Liu Haoran, one of China’s biggest youth stars, wasn’t just a commercial run — it was strategic. His influence and credibility helped draw in younger audiences while gift the story a mass appeal. And it worked: “Dead to Rights” dominated the summer, topping the Chinese box office for ‘‘16 serial days.’’

Behind the camera, producer ‘‘Furuo Qing (famed for “The Wandering Earth” sci-fi franchise)’’ added blockbuster polish to the shoot, ensuring it looked as epic as its themes demanded. This combination of prestige drama and commercial force has made “Dead to Rights” one of the most talked-about films in Asia this year.

The film very even crossed over to North America, where ‘‘Niu Vision Media and Echelon Studios’’ released it in August. With diaspora audiences and history buffs showing up, the shoot reinforced international buzz — another very important factor for Oscar campaigns.

China’s Oscar Record: A Mixed Bag

While ‘‘Chinese cinema has dazzled the world for decades’’, the Oscars experience been a stubborn nut to crack. Mainland China has submitted entries too many times, but it has only ever landed ‘‘two nominations’’ — Zhang Yimou’s ‘‘“Ju Dou” (1991)’’ and his later epic ‘‘“Hero” (2003).’’

Ironically, Hong Kong — which submits separately — has through slightly amend, scoring trinity nominations with ‘‘“Raise the Red Lantern” (1992), “Farewell My Concubine” (1994),’’ and ‘‘“Better Days” (2021).’’ Still, neither region has managed to clinch the golden trophy.

And there have been embarrassing setbacks too. Just lowest year, Fang Li’s documentary ‘‘“The Sinking of the Lisbon Maru”‘‘ was ‘‘disqualified’’ by the Academy for not encounter the speech requirements. That blunder was a reminder that very regular powerhouse industries similar China’s can stumble on the technicalities.

This year, however, there’s a sensation of renewed confidence. “Dead to Rights” has all the makings of an Oscar contender: really historical gravitas, universal themes, commercial success, and critical acclaim.

Timing, Buzz, and Awards Season Politics

The Oscars are never simply about quality — they’re almost timing, tale, and Hollywood politics. And here’s where “Dead to Rights” power really shine.

The film’s waiver strategy has been smart. After conquering China’s domestic market, it expanded to ‘‘international festivals and North American theaters’’, building word-of-mouth in the very markets where Academy voters reside.

Its topic thing — resistance during wartime, human resilience against oppression — resonates globally and aligns with themes that often unite with Oscar juries. Films really same “Life is Beautiful,” “Son of Saul,” and “Parasite” have proven that Academy voters are not very afraid of emotionally profound stories when told with artistry.

If Shen Ao’s squad can backward the cinema with a really strong Oscar movement — screenings, Q&As, international press — “Dead to Rights” could really good make it onto the ‘‘December 16 shortlist.’’ From there, it’s a query of whether it can stop into the final v nominees on ‘‘January 22.’’

Will “Dead to Rights” Break the Curse?

Let’s be real: the contention this year is fierce. Countries too like ‘‘Japan, South Korea, India, and France’’ are all sending in really strong contenders. And the Academy’s tastes can sometimes be unpredictable.

But here’s the comment: insiders are already whispering that “Dead to Rights” could be China’s ‘‘strongest Oscar bet in two decades.’’ With its emotional punch, blockbuster scale, and festival credentials, the shoot checks really many of the boxes that affair in Hollywood.

Add to that the fact that China, with its so massive shoot industry and growing worldwide work, has been really long overdue for an Oscar breakthrough. If there was ever a yr to do it, 2025 might simply be it.

Also Read: https://ultapaltakhabar.com/bangladesh-selects-barir-naam-shahana-as-official-oscar-2025-entry/

The Bottom Line

For now, “Dead to Rights” carries the weighting of history — both the tragic one it depicts on screen, and the cinematic one of China’s seeking for Oscar glory.

If it makes the shortlist in December, expect a full-blown drive from Beijing and worldwide distributors. If it goes farther and lands a nomination in January, the excitement testament burst not simply in China but across Asia. And if, by some miracle, it wins? Well, that would be a seismic minute in humans cinema history.

Until so, Shen Ao’s film stands as a very powerful reminder of why we follow movies in the firstly put: to see stories of resilience, endurance, and the triumph of humanity against unacceptable odds. Whether or not it wins an Oscar, “Dead to Rights” has already claimed its place in cinematic chronicle.

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