'Raw' Has a Powerful Message That Was Sadly Silenced

Seeing as how we're talking about international films (many of which get snubbed of proper recognition at the Academy Awards), why don't we combine it... with a genre that often gets snubbed at the Academy Awards? Horror.

The rules that international films (recently changed from "foreign films," cause let's face it, every film from someone in a country other than the US is foreign), are extremely stringent, and the Academy has faced a lot of criticism for it. I think the most ridiculous of these rules is that there specifically can only be one film from each country that is submitted from each country, and that is exactly how Raw was snubbed of its nomination.

Boasting an excellent 92% on Rotten Tomatoes, the film is made in France and meeting all the requirements to receive a nomination, Raw is a horror that cuts much deeper than what is initially seen on the screen.



The film centers around Justine, who has been a vegetarian her entire life. However, after enrolling at her new vet school (which is filled with hazing, bullying, and harassment), she is peer pressured into eating meat, which in turn sends her down a path which not many have ever been before.
Clearly a representation of addiction, Raw attempts to capture truly what it's like to get off of a drug (or really any kind of) addiction, and what a relapse feels like. Instead of using a literal drug however, Raw uses satire to display exactly how society and many viewers see people who are trying to get over addiction; as monsters.
There are some pretty terrifying moments in Raw that remind me of my high school days, and also thankfully make me glad that I didn't go to a college similar to the one that is depicted. The ending is a crazy twist, and there is almost no barrier that affected my enjoyment.
Very powerful, well acted, well written, and beautifully shot, Raw exemplifies what a horror film should be, which is super impressive because in the last fifty years or so, horror has been perfected and almost completely owned by the United States.
However, when we talk about The Academy Awards, it's a completely different ball game. Not only are horror films often discriminated against, but so are Film that come from larger countries.
The "one film per country rule" is super discriminatory against bigger countries. While I understand that you want every country to have equal representation, The Academy must understand that by silencing films such as Raw, and not allowing it the exposure it rightfully deserves, people are being robbed of not only an experience, but a lesson. I would suggest that the rule be completely stripped and that the category (in terms of how films are submitted) work like any other.
I feel like if this rule was stripped away, films such as Raw could adequately be recognized and more people would receive the film's message. I feel like in today's world, there is such a negative attitude toward addiction. Even trying to get better is viewed negatively (ex: going to rehab). Raw attempts to make addiction out to be what it truly is: a disease. If more people understood this, I think we move toward a more brotherly society that strives to see people improve their lives, and are encouraged for doing so. Silencing these moves and denying them the exposure they rightfully deserve is just plain wrong and must change.