Upcoming historical thriller “The Age of Shadows” has been selected as a contender for the 89th Academy Awards for best foreign language film, according to the Korean Film Council (KOFIC) on Tuesday.

“‘The Age of Shadows’ was selected not only for its aesthetic achievement, but also in recognition of the director and cast, and global distribution and marketing efforts,” said KOFIC in a statement.

Starring big-name actors including Song Kang-ho from the 2013 dystopian film “Snowpiercer” and Gong Yoo from this year’s summer blockbuster “Train to Busan,” the movie tells the story of a Korean independence group’s fight for the country’s liberation from Japanese colonial rule in the 1920s.

“The Age of Shadows” is scheduled for its world premiere at the 73rd Venice International Film Festival, taking place in Venice, Italy from Aug. 31 - Sept. 10.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences will announce the final nominees for all award categories next January and present the awards at the annual ceremony the following month.

Directed by Kim Jee-woon, “The Age of Shadows” opens in local theaters on Sept. 7.

By Kim Yu-young (ivykim@heraldcorp.com)