Karakter (1997)

Born the illegitimate son of a withholding housekeeper and her cruel bailiff employer, Fedja van Huêt becomes the chief suspect in his biological father’s unexpected death, requiring him to provide the details of his rise from poverty to becoming a lawyer himself. The periodic exchanges between the two over the years exhibits a contentious relationship that runs deep for both men. I found this to be an unexpectedly riveting drama that explores the bonds, or lack thereof, of family and the degrees to which success can be attributed to circumstances of birth, self determination, and luck.

Oscar Win: Best Foreign Language Film