Global themes dominate this year’s Oscar nominations

This year's Oscar nominations have taken a global turn, from Edward Snowden's cat-and-mouse hopscotch with the NSA to a central African tragedy and America's last days in Vietnam. 

In a year where the Academy is coming under fire (more on that later), here's a quick guide to its focus abroad. 

1. Three documentary nominees have an international focus

Three out of the five nominated films in this category take place outside the United States — but they all address issues that have affected Americans in the past ('Last Days in Vietnam'), present ('Virunga') and future ('Citizenfour'). Laura Poitras' 'Citizenfour' is perhaps the most high-profile film of the bunch, following Edward Snowden as he orchestrates and follows through with the biggest — and most dramatic — leak of government secrets in United States history. Poitras, who appeared on our show in October, described how the burden of responsibility weighed on Snowden. "You see the toll that the last year had taken on him," she told Marco. 'Citizenfour' follows the then-29 year old as he sets in motion actions that would catapult him onto the world stage and elevate mass surveillance and digital security as primary and immediate public concerns.

2. Only three nominees for best director are American

Foreign directors Alejandro González Iñárritu (Mexico) and Morten Tyldum (Norway) are nominated in the Best Director category. Iñárritu became the first Mexican director to be nominated for an Oscar with 2007's 'Babel,' and Thursday Tyldum became the first Norwegian nominated for the prize.

3. Four of the eight Best Picture nominees were shot outside of the US

'The Imitation Game' was shot in England, with locations including Alan Turing's former school, Sherborne and the actual Bletchley Park. 'The Theory of Everything' was shot in Cambridge and around the United Kingdom. Parts of 'American Sniper' were shot in Morocco. And 'The Grand Budapest Hotel' was filmed entirely in Germany. The atrium lobby of the hotel in the film is actually the defunct Gorlitzer Warenhaus department store in Gorlitz.

4. The Russian film 'Leviathan' will face stiff competition

While 'Leviathan' won the Golden Globe, the Polish-Danish drama 'Ida' has captured many critics hearts with its portrayal of a young nun in 1960s Polish People's Republic. Estonia and Mauritania earned their first-ever Oscar nominations with 'Tangerines' and 'Timbuktu,' respectively.

5. This year's Oscars might be globally diverse, but they are certainly not racially diverse

People stormed to Twitter Thursday after hearing that not one person of color was nominated for an acting category. 'Selma' actor David Oyelowo and director Ava DuVernay were expected to earn nominations but were snubbed.

6. French film composer Alexandre Desplat is having a good day

Desplat was nominated twice in the same category — his score for 'The Grant Budapest Hotel' and 'The Imitiation Game' are both up for Best Original Score. He missed a third nomination (in yes, the same category) for his score for 'Unbroken.'