What winning an Oscar would mean to Nicaragua

When the 2015 Oscar nominations were unveiled, one country in Central America went haywire upon realizing that one of their own countrymen was nominated at the prestige movie event.

With the Academy Awards headed our way on Sunday, Nicaraguans keep fingers crossed that the nominated director Gabriel Serra Arguello can nab the title in his respective category.

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Serra, who was shocked with his nod, filmed his award-nominated short film “La Parka” (The Reaper) in only eight days in Mexico. In fact, the flick was originally submitted as a school project for the Centro de Capacitación Cinematográfica, where Serra is studying film.

“La Parka” tells the story of Efrain, who for the past 25 years has worked in a slaughterhouse, where he has developed an intimate relationship with both death and what one must sometimes do to live.

The gruesome movie is up for Best Documentary Short Subject against films “Crisis Hotline: Veterans Press 1,” “Joanna,” “Our Curse” and “White Earth.”

This is the first time a film director of Nicaraguan descent makes it to the Oscars, making a small third world country with a population of over six million people very proud.

For locals in Nicaragua, Serra winning the Oscar would be another opportunity to bring the country to the forefront ?similar to when salsa singer Luis Enrique won his Latin GRAMMY and GRAMMY.

“All heads would turn to Nicaragua, in first place driven by curiosity,” assured Kevin E. Ingram, a musician and business manager from Leon, Nicaragua. “We have several good talents here but we lack budget, and that’s the main issue,” he said.

The 38-year-old resident told VOXXI that he’s a loyal fan of many productions in the country, mainly documentaries and he says winning the Oscar would be a great push for Nicaragua’s movie industry and its hidden gems.

One resident from the capital Managua said nabbing the title would put Nicaragua’s name up high.

“Nicaragua is often mentioned for its poverty, corruption and its social inequality,” Yennifer Cristal Cuevas Pichardo, 25, told VOXXI. “The few good things that are praised is thanks to a handful of talents who’ve left the country to shine elsewhere.”

“I would feel very proud if ‘La Parka’ wins the Oscar, because even without the country’s support, Serra was able to do something big for the nation,” she said.

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The young university student also notes that in Nicaragua there’s a lot of culture, art and knowledge that with true determination can help put and keep the Central American country in the spotlight.

Will “La Parka” have what it takes to nab Nicaragua its first Oscar win? Winners of the 87th annual Academy Award will be revealed Sunday Feb. 22nd.