In what may or may not be a harbinger for Oscar time, Denys Arcand’s The Barbarian Invasions was selected best foreign film of the year by the National Board of Review in the U.S. The NBR, an association of teachers, actors, writers and movie-production workers, is traditionally the first ‘best movies of the year’ announcement in the U.S.

It is not, however, considered a bellwether for an Oscar. In 2002, for example, the NBR named Talk to Her (Spain) best foreign film, while the foreign-language Oscar ultimately went to Nowhere in Africa (Germany).

Invasions also took the award for best non-European film of the year at the European Film Awards, Dec. 6.

Another film originating from Canada, Norman Jewison’s The Statement, received a Special Mention for Excellence in Filmmaking from the NBR. Jewison was also recognized with the Billy Wilder Award for Excellence in Directing.