With the Academy Awards on the horizon, Istanbul Modern Cinema presents a series of films, which have been nominated to the Academy Awards' "Best Foreign Language Film" category from Jan. 7 to Jan. 17. The selection, which is comprised of 18 films, represents a category that brings together films from diverse cultures and languages. These films were big hits at world festivals, and are outside the scope of Hollywood despite being nominated for the Academy Award.Ich Seh, Ich Seh (Goodnight Mommy), 2014Directors: Veronika Franz and Severin FialaThe psychological horror film "Goodnight Mommy" was a surprise for all at this year's festivals. The film questions whether the umbilical cord can create a poisonous bond instead of an affectionate one. Twin boys do not believe the woman whose face is covered with bandages due to an accident is their mother. When their suspicion grows, they begin to torture her both psychologically and physically. The film gradually reveals the story behind this suspicion as the terror and thriller increases, and it stands out with its cinematography and structure.Lamb, 2015Director: Yared ZelekeThe very first Ethiopian film featured among the Academy Award selection, "Lamb" follows the story of Ephraim, 9, who took his lamb along with him when he was sent away to live with his distant relatives after his mother's death. One day, his uncle tells him that they have to sacrifice the lamb for Qurban Bayram (the Islamic feast of sacrifice). This new development encourages Ephraim to come up with an escape plan. "Lamb" is a realistic and humanistic story with numerous folkloric elements.Zvizdan (The High Sun), 2015Director: Dalibor MatanicThe film takes place on Balkan land in three different periods, and follows three different love stories. The history of two neighboring Balkan villages, which are damaged by ethnic hostility, is laid bare from 1991 to 2011. The film draws attention with its visual elements and skillfully built up story. Although the film presents three different periods, the audience follows the same actors animating different characters.Saul Fia (Son of Saul), 2015Director: Lazslo Nemes"Son of Saul," which is one of the most talked about films of the year, follows the trauma of Saul whose job is to strip and lead his kin - the Jews - to the gas chambers, burn the corpses in the crematoria and clean the gas chambers under the command of the Nazis. The film, which won the Jury Grand Prize at the Cannes Film Festival, imprisons the audience in gas chambers and mass graves. Nemes manages to tell a complete and successful story about a delicate subject, such as the Holocaust, with his clever cinematic language.Mustang, 2015Director: Deniz Gamze ErgüvenHaving premiered at the 68th Cannes Film Festival, Turkish director Deniz Gamze Ergüven's "Mustang" won the "Best Film" award at various film festivals around the world, and was nominated for both a Golden Globe and an Academy Award for "Best Foreign Language Film." The film tells the story of five teenage orphan girls who decided to fight for their freedom from their prison-like life, which is shaped by social pressure.Sivas, 2014Director: Kaan MüjdeciWinner of the Special Jury Award at the Venice Film Festival, "Sivas" is director Kaan Müjdeci's first feature-length film. The film tells the story of 11-year-old Aslan who goes to a school in his village and spends time with his friends. Aslan saves an injured Kangal sheepdog named Sivas, a fighting dog that was left for dead after losing a brutal match. He then tries to use Sivas to impress his classmates, in particular the girl he likes, and even sets up an amateur fight with another boy's dog.Que Horas Ela Volta? (The Second Mother), 2015Director: Anna MuylaertVal works as a housekeeper in one of the rich neighborhoods of Sao Paulo, Brazil. Besides completing all the chores in the house, she also looks after the teenage son of her employers. The perfect order that Val created in the house begins to fall apart when her daughter Jessica decides to come and live with her mother after 10 years. Jessica refuses to obey the rules of the house, and damages everything that her mother has built over the years. The film explores the concept of family and class discrimination from a different perspective, and won the Special Jury Award at the Sundance Film Festival.Im Labyrinth Des Schweigens (Labyrinth of Lies), 2014Director: Giulio RicciarelliThe film, which Premiered at the Toronto Film Festival, is set in post-World War II Frankfurt, Germany, and centers on the Auschwitz trials. In 1958, young prosecutor Johann Radmann comes across certain files that might help open cases against SS officers, the elite guard of the Nazi Party, who worked in the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp in Poland. However, when Radmann begins to investigate without the permission of his superiors, he finds himself in a case filled with pressure and lies. It seems impossible for him to escape the labyrinth of lies without knowing who is guilty and who is innocent.Volcano (Ixcanul), 2015Director: Jayro BustamanteMaria, 17, lives on a coffee plantation located on the slopes of an active volcano in Guatemala. Although she is about to get married to the caretaker of the farm, Maria seduces a coffee farmer in order to run away with him to the United States. When her plans do not turn out as she expected, she discovers her own world as well as the culture of her ancestors, the Kaqchikel Mayans. Inspired by true events, "Ixcanul" is a story of an extraordinary woman.Babai (Father), 2015Director: Visar Morina"Father," which brought Visar Morina the "Best Director Award" at Karlovy Vary, is the story of a father and son who try to maintain their lives by selling cigarettes on the streets on the eve of the Kosovo War. To find a job in Germany, 10-year-old Nori's father leaves him with his uncle; however, Nori - who is very fond of his father -does not accept being left behind, and decides to go after his father.Le Tout Nouveau Testament (The New Testament), 2015Director: Jaco Van DormaelThe film portrays God as an abusive husband and father living in Brussels. When his 10-year-old daughter Ea has enough of her father, she decides to reveal his biggest secret - the exact date that people will die - via SMS. She then flees her home in order to find a new life. The film, which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival's "Directors' Fortnight" section, is an entertaining and surreal comedy.Non Essere Cattivo (Don't Be Bad), 2015Director: Claudio CaligariVittorio and Cesare are two close friends who live on drugs and alcohol. They love classic cars and want to live on the edge; however, their choices cost the duo dearly. One day, Vittoria meets a girl named Linda and begins to distance himself from Cesare but when his friend's life hits rock bottom, Vittoria helps his friend recover. They realize that their friendship became stronger when they were apart and understand that they might have a bright future together. Set in the '90s on the outskirts of Rome, the tragi-comedy film caused a stir in Italy.Drevo (The Tree), 2014Director: Sonja ProsencAlek and Veli live in a place where they can only feel safe, in a small house with their mother. They are terrified by the outside world, and the house in which they are trapped has become their prison. In three chapters, the film's plot is told through the eyes of two brothers and their mother Milena as the audience witnesses a tragic situation that befalls the family as the result of an accident.Theeb, 2014Director: Naji Abu NowarHijaz, under the rule of the Ottoman Empire, is on the verge of an Arab revolt in 1916. The life of Theeb, who lives according to the Bedouin traditions of his tribe, changes when a British officer comes to their home. Theeb's big brother Hussein accepts to guide the officer on his dangerous mission in the Arabian Desert; however, Theeb soon discovers the real objective of this journey despite his young age. Now, he has to learn how to make decisions like adults in order to survive. The film is a gripping story about a boy who is about to enter the world of adulthood.Dolares De Arena (Sand Dollars), 2014Co-directors: Laura Amelia Guzman and Israel CardenasNoeli lives in a coastal town of the Dominican Republic with her boyfriend. The lovers exploit tourists to sustain their lives financially. When an elderly French woman arrives on the island, Noeli and her boyfriend introduce themselves as siblings. The plan is simple: Noeli will make the French woman take her to Paris and she will send money to her boyfriend every month. Standing out with the extraordinary performance of Geraldine Chaplin, the film reveals the physical and emotional weaknesses of old age. Solnechnyy Udar (Sunstroke), 2014Director: Nikita Mikhalkov"Sunstroke" is the cinema adaptation of 20th century Russian writer Ivan Bunin's short story. Set in the last days of the Russian Empire, the film presents the tragic incidents of 1920 together with the splendid history of the empire. While the soldiers who serve under the rule of the tsar are kept in a Moscow prison, the film takes the audience on a journey through the memories of a former captain.