Sophia Loren film generating Oscar buzz

Sophia Loren might have a new man in her life soon - and his name is Oscar.

The 86-year-old, silver-screen legend is generating serious awards buzz for her performance in "The Life Ahead," her first major film role in 11 years.

The Netflix feature, directed by her son Edoardo Ponti, has Loren playing Madame Rosa, a Holocaust survivor who befriends a Senegalese boy while raising children of prostitutes.

Loren's most recent cinematic role was in the 2009 Daniel Day-Lewis musical "Nine."

"In my career, I've worked with the biggest studios but I can safely say that none have had the breadth of reach and the cultural diversity of Netflix, and that's what I love about them," said Loren in February, according to Deadline. "They have understood that you don't build a global studio unless you cultivate local talent in every country and give these unique voices an opportunity to be heard."

With the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences easing regulations requiring feature-length films to screen for at least one week in theaters due to the COVID-19 outbreak, Loren will likely get a head start on her potential opponents. "The Life Ahead" begins streaming Nov. 13 - weeks before many other prestige films are expected to be released.

Loren might also be a sentimental favorite come awards season.

Earlier this year, three previous Oscar winners - Al Pacino, Anthony Hopkins and Joe Pesci - all received their first Academy Award nominations in more than 20 years.

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