The film Purge is the official Finnish nominee for the foreign-language Oscar Award.

The choice was announced on Wednesday by the Finnish Chamber of Films, an umbrella grouping of cinema organisations in the country. Its jury described the story-telling technique in Purge as "exceptionally fine," adding that it keeps the viewer in its grip.

The jury also found the acting in the picture to be "bewilderingly" excellent, particularly its strong portraits of women. The movie stars Laura Birn, 31, and Liisi Tandefelt, 76, who play the main character Aliide at different stages of her life. Other main roles are played by Amanda Pilke, Peter Franzén, Krista Kosonen and Tommi Korpela.

Originally written as a play, Purge has previously been recast as a novel -- which won a raft of Finnish and European awards -- and an opera.

From pop videos to historical drama

The jurors also praised the professional excellence of all areas of the film-making process.

Purge was directed by Antti Jokinen, who has previously been best known for making music videos for stars such as Celine Dion, Shania Twain, Wyclef Jean and Korn. The long-time US resident has made one Hollywood horror film starring Hilary Swank.

Five foreign movies will be chosen for the shortlist, to be announced on January 10th. The Academy Awards will be handed out in Los Angeles on February 24th.

Every year, the US Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences asks each country to nominate one film to be considered for the Best Foreign-Language Film category.

In 2003, Aki Kaurismäki's The Man without a Past was chosen as one of the five finalists for the prize. The director refused to attend the ceremony to protest US foreign policy. The film had earlier won the Grand Prix at the Cannes Film Festival.