At the 2016 Academy Awards, which of the following movies was declared the Oscar winner for Best Foreign Language Film?

Introduction / Context:
The Best Foreign Language Film category at the Oscars, now called Best International Feature Film, honours outstanding movies produced outside the United States with predominantly non English dialogue. In the 2016 Academy Awards, one powerful film set during the Holocaust attracted particular critical acclaim and won this category. This question tests whether you can recall that film title from a list of other nominated movies.

Given Data / Assumptions:
- The relevant year is the 2016 Oscars.
- The category is Best Foreign Language Film.
- Options are Son of Saul, Embrace of the Serpent, Mustang, A War, and Theeb.
- We assume awareness that these titles were prominent in film festival circuits around that time.

Concept / Approach:
To solve this, you must match the winning film with the correct award year. Son of Saul, a Hungarian drama set in the Auschwitz concentration camp, was widely praised for its intense depiction of the Holocaust and won the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film in 2016. Embrace of the Serpent, Mustang, A War, and Theeb were also nominees in various international contexts, but they did not win the Oscar that year. Focusing on Son of Saul association with the 2016 Oscars helps you choose the right option.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Identify that the question centres on the 2016 Academy Awards and the Best Foreign Language Film category.
Step 2: Recall that Son of Saul from Hungary was frequently mentioned as the frontrunner and eventual winner.
Step 3: Recognise that Embrace of the Serpent, Mustang, A War, and Theeb are strong films but were not awarded the Oscar in this category that year.
Step 4: Match your memory of 2016 Oscar coverage with the option list and pick Son of Saul.
Step 5: Confirm that this choice aligns with typical exam answer keys and film award summaries.

Verification / Alternative check:
Exam preparation notes often list Son of Saul as the Best Foreign Language Film winner at the 2016 Oscars, along with its country of origin, Hungary. If you keep a mental or written table linking years to foreign language winners, you will see Son of Saul clearly attached to 2016, which verifies your answer choice.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Embrace of the Serpent is a Colombian film known for its striking black and white visuals, but it did not win the Oscar in this category.

Mustang, a Turkish French production about the lives of five sisters, was nominated in some awards but was not the Oscar winner.

A War, a Danish drama, received critical attention yet did not secure the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film.

Theeb, a Jordanian film, is also highly regarded but was not the winning entry in this specific Oscar category for 2016.

Common Pitfalls:
A common issue is that students may only remember that these films were discussed together and may not recall which one actually won. Others may confuse festival awards with the Oscars. The safest approach is to memorise a short list of foreign language winners, particularly those that frequently appear in exam questions, such as Son of Saul for 2016.

Final Answer:
The 2016 Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film was awarded to Son of Saul.