And Ang Lee must certainly win best foreign language picture Oscar this spring - or indeed best picture.
Russell had been an ardent champion of the young Wittgenstein, agreeing with him that language pictured the logical structure of reality.
Starring a mainly Norwegian cast, Kon-Tiki has received surprise nominations for foreign language picture at the Golden Globes, and last week found itself on the shortlist of foreign language films vying for an Oscar nomination.
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon is the first foreign language picture for many years to get a sizeable release in British cinemas, and the first ever to do so in a non-European language.
Also in the mix: Farsi-language horror Under the Shadow, which has been selected as the UK's foreign language picture Oscar submission, and US indie Southside With You, about Barack and Michelle Obama's first date.
Cristian Mungiu's 4 Months, 3 Weeks & 2 Days, the 2007 Palme d'Or-winning tale of a young woman who helps her friend get an illegal abortion in communist-era Romania, was named best foreign language picture.
Previous years have given us a clear front-runner in the race for the best foreign language picture Oscar.
They may communicate through sign language, picture charts, typing, body language, or behavior.
