Ruben Ostlund’s The Square Set For Oscar Race

The Square, which earned director Ruben Ostlund the Palme d’Or at Cannes in May, will represent Sweden in its bid for selection in the Best Foreign Language Film category at the 90th Academy Awards in 2018.

The film follows Christian, the successful curator of a modern art museum. A few days before the opening of a prestigious exhibition he is mugged, so embarks on a hunt for the perpetrator and ends up in situations that make him question his own moral compass.

This is the third time that Ostlund has been involved in the Oscar race. Involuntary was in the running for selection in 2009, and he made the shortlist with Force Majeure in 2014, but was ultimately denied a nomination.

However, Ostlund told SVT Kultur that he believes this time might be different: “I think it’s a very good starting point after winning the Palme d’Or… I think Americans love stories of reclaimed dignity. I think they want us to climb up and claim the statue from the bottom.”

The Best Foreign Language Film winner will be announced in an awards ceremony held on 4th March 2018 at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood.