Czech-shot WWI film wins four Oscars, but Czech nominees left empty-handed

The Czech-lensed “All Quiet on the Western Front” won four Oscars including Best International Feature Film, but four Czechs nominated in technical categories lost out.

In total, “All Quiet on the Western Front,” was nominated for nine Oscars, including Best Picture, which it lost to “Everything Everywhere All at One,” the big winner of the evening.

The three other wins for “All Quiet on the Western Front” went to James Friend for Best Cinematography, Christian M. Goldbeck and Ernestine Hipper for Best Production Design, and Volker Bertelmann for Best Original Score.

The World War I–themed film, largely filmed in and near Prague, had one Czech producer, Pavel Müller, as well as many Czech-based actors and technical crew. But it was Germany’s submission for Best International Feature Film. The Czech submission for Oscar consideration, “Il Boemo,” was not nominated – though that film scored well in the Czech Lions, the most prestigious local awards.

Czech Linda Eisenhamerová was part of the nominated team for Best Makeup and Hair, but they lost to the team from “The Whale.” Viktor Prášil and his team lost in the Best Sound Category to the team from “Top Gun: Maverick.” Viktor Müller and Kamil Jafar were among the nominees for Best Visual Effects, but lost to “Avatar: The Way of Water.”

“The nominations of Linda Eisenhamerová, Viktor Prášil, Kamil Jafar, and Viktor Müller are recognition of exceptional talents and top professionals who demonstrate the world-class level of the Czech film industry,” Deputy Minister of Culture Michal Šašek said in a press release before the awards were given out.

The film scored better at the BAFTAs, given out by the British Academy of Film and Television Arts on Feb. 19. It was nominated in 14 categories and won seven, including Best Film, Best Director, and Best Film Not in the English Language. This time Viktor Prášil and his team won for Best Sound.

The last Czech winner of an Oscar remains Markéta Irglová, who along with Glen Hansard won in 2008 for the song “Falling Slowly” from the film “Once.”

Best International Feature Film was previously known as Best Foreign Language Film. A Czech entry last won this prize in 1997 for “Kolja” and was last nominated in 2004 for “Želary.” Czechoslovakia won twice, in 1966 for “The Shop on Main Street” and in 1967 for “Closely Watched Trains.”