What is Cinema?

First, a reality check. The Oscar Best International Feature Film (previously Foreign-Language Film) winner - or nominees - is merely a fraction of the best that world cinema has to offer in any given year. That's why through all these years that I've spent my life as an incurable film junkie, I've gradually learned to take the award-giving bodies (and these include your grand old Uncle Oscar) with a grain of salt. Whichever way we put it, to have a hundred or so committee members decide which set of films should be given recognition or award is utterly subjective and limiting, dependent as it is on each one's taste, preference, agenda, established connections, expected gains and what have you. Heck, some members may not even be passionate or knowledgeable about cinema at all! And let's not even begin equating the award-giving bodies organized by the press, actors' guild, industry insiders, etc., with the honors bestowed at the various annual international film...