Argentina enters 'XXY' in Oscar race

Drama an entry for foreign-language category

By CHARLES NEWBERY

BUENOS AIRES -- Drama "XXY," the freshman pic of novelist and screenwriter Lucia Puenzo, is Argentina's candidate for the foreign-language Oscar nomination and the Spanish Goya Awards.

The Argentine Film Arts and Sciences Academy selected the story of a troubled teenage hermaphrodite from 79 contenders.

"XXY," starring Ricardo Darin of big-selling "Nine Queens" and Oscar-nommed "The Son of the Bride," beat a strong lineup of candidates, including current box-office hit "La Senal," a detective caper starring Darin and co-directed by him and Martin Hodara.

Historias Cinematograficas, an Argentine production house run by Lucia's father, the helmer Luis Puenzo of Oscar-winning "The Official Story," co-produced "XXY" with Spain's Wanda Vision and Pyramide Prods. of France. The latter is handling international sales.