The poster for director Peter Chan's Dearest, one of three Chinese films nominated for best foreign language film at the upcoming Golden Globes.[Photo provided to China Daily]

China Film Archive cinema studies department deputy director Zuo Heng says the films are too removed from American taste to take Oscars. "I'm afraid none of them will be nominated," he says.

"Coming Home tells an outdated story set in the turmoil time of the 'cultural revolution' (1966-76). Dearest lacks originality - the second half resembles A Separation (the first Iranian movie to win the best foreign-language Oscar in 2012). The Continent fails in its depictions," he says, referring to rough editing and poor production.

China Film Critic Society academic director Wang Xudong says: "All three face the same obstacle to win US audiences. They can't cross cultural boundaries to garner international appeal. But if I had to pick one that's most likely to win, I'd go with Dearest."

He believes that film, starring Zhao Wei, may prove a dark horse because the realistic story of a couple searching for their abducted child for three years is easily understood by foreign viewers. It took best director and best film awards at the 2014 China International Film Festival in London on Dec 6.

Wang cites Ang Lee's Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (the first Chinese Oscar-winner) and Venice Golden Lion-winner The Story of Qiu Ju (a 1992 Zhang Yimou movie) as films that cross linguistic and cultural barriers.

"Martial-arts films have long been a Western favorite," he says.