Foreign Films at the Oscars and The Damned United

Posted by Michelle Strozykowski Jan 27, 2009

Awards season is creeping up again, with Oscar and Bafta noms all on the table. Check out which foreign films are in the running, and what to look forward to in 2009. Personally, I can't wait to see The Damned United.

As a Derby County fan, ex-season ticket holder (can't get to all those games anymore) and steadfast admirer of Mr Brian Clough I am very excited. Michael Sheen has been quietly carving himself a reputation as one of Britain's finest actors. The few clips I've seen of him playing Cloughie confirm he has captured the man perfectly. His unique turn of phrase and tone of voice an instant reminder of football's glory days.

As a fan and a screenplay writer I have long considered drafting a Brian Clough story. I even pitched it once. Remember that book Rebel without a Crew? It was an on the hop account of how Robert Rodriguez made his first film El Mariachi. Anyway, at the end there was a competition to win a movie camera, you just had to answer a few simple questions and pitch your idea in less than 20 sentences. I don't remember what I said, but the premise was definitely a Cloughie biopic. Needless to say I didn't win. What was I thinking? Why on Earth would Rodriguez have even heard of Brian Clough?

Anyway, I'm very glad there is now a film that celebrates one of football's greatest characters – even if it is based on his disasterous spell at Leeds United – and very glad Michael Sheen is in it as well. It might not be up for an Oscar, but The Damned United gets my vote for most eagerly anticipated film of 2009.