Oscar predictions for 2013

Who’s been nominated?
As ever, it’s a mix of the ‘marvellous’ and the ‘who they?’. Michael Haneke’s ‘Amour’ leads the field: this French-language film about the perils of love and ageing won the Palme d’Or at Cannes in May 2012 and, remarkably, it has also gained nominations in the Best Picture, Best Director, Best Original Screenplay and Best Actress categories.

The Chilean, Pinochet-era film ‘No’ and the Danish costume drama ‘A Royal Affair’ have both picked up fans over the past year on the festival circuit and on the back of small releases. Less known to a UK audience are the Norwegian film ‘Kon-Tiki’, about a famed explorer, and the French Canadian film ‘War Witch’, about a teen girl in Africa who is forced to become a child soldier.

Who’s going to win?
This category is known for its upsets – and for picking heartwarmers over critical faves. But surely the hugely lauded ‘Amour’ has this one in the bag? Surely it can’t be possible to be nominated for Best Picture and Best Director (both of which, presumably, it won’t win) and not win in this category? Can it?

Who was overlooked?
The big surprise is the omission of the French film ‘Untouchable’ – a box-office smash in its home country and the story of a rich, white disabled man’s friendship with his poor, black carer. It sounds exactly like the Academy’s tasse de thé.