3 Alejandro G. Iñarritu films to watch besides ‘Birdman’

It’s another great year for Mexican directors at the Oscars. Similar to Alfonso Cuaron’s “Gravity,” which took by storm the 2014 awards show, director Alejandro Gonzalez Iñarritu reigns this year as he leads the nominations in nine categories.

The Mexican film director, screenwriter and producer caught everyone’s attention with his 2014 release “Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)” — a dark comedy film starring Michael Keaton, Edward Norton, Emma Stone and Naomi Watts.

SEE ALSO: ‘Birdman’ can make history with an Oscar win

But this isn’t the first time that the Academy has their eyes set on the Golden Globe-winning Latino director. In fact, Iñarritu has been an Oscar-nominee on various occasions.

For those who are just getting familiar with Iñarritu’s work, let us introduce to you three of his films (other than “Birdman”) that are worth your time.

1) Biutiful

“Biutiful” took Iñarritu almost four years to make; it was released in 2010 and stars Spanish actor Javier Bardem. The all Spanish-language film was nominated for two Oscars in 2011: Best Foreign Language Film and Best Actor. Bardem received the Best Actor Award at Cannes for his work on the film.

2) Babel

“Babel,” starring Brad Pitt, Cate Blanchett and Adriana Barraza, was an acclaimed film in 2006. The movie is in four different languages and tells four different stories in four countries on three continents: Morocco, Mexico, U.S. and Japan. “Babel” garnered Iñarritu the Golden Globe and Canne award for Best Director that year and two nods at the 2006 Oscars.

3) Amores Perros

We also recommend his first feature film “Amores Perros,” written by Guillermo Arriaga and starring Gael Garcia Bernal. The Spanish-language 2000 flick explores Mexican society via three intertwining stories. “Amores Perros” gave Iñarritu his first-ever Oscar nod for Best Foreign Film and two wins at the Canne Film Festival that year.

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Alejandro has been active since 1995, prior to debuting in the big screens, he was busy shooting commercials and short films. His path to Hollywood embarked in 2000 and it’s been nothing but a one-way route to the top. Will “Birdman” nab this talented Mexican his first Academy Award? We don’t doubt it for a split second.