Posted on 10/21/2004 10:24:12 PM PDT by crushelits
Unthinkable, say Industry Insiders
There's a Lot of Animosity Toward This Film That Is Very Real,' says One Oscar-Campaign Vet;
but Snub Could Lead to Boycott of Awards
Most Believe 'Fahrenheit' Nomination Tied to the Election
NEW YORK, Oct. 17 /PRNewswire/ -- Despite shattering box-office records and dominating headlines for months, "The Passion of the Christ" and "Fahrenheit 9/11" face real obstacles in the race for an Oscar nomination for best picture. As Senior Writer Sean Smith reports in the current issue of Newsweek, many of the high-placed studio executives, producers, Oscar strategists, publicists and Academy members interviewed think that "Fahrenheit's" chances depend on the results of the presidential election, and all say that a "Passion" best-picture nod is almost unthinkable.
"A lot of older Academy voters, who are largely Jewish, refuse to even see this movie," says one Oscar-campaign vet. "There's a level of animosity toward this film that is very real. When I talk to the members, I hear it over and over and over again." Complicating matters, says one exec, is the sense, fair or not, that Mel Gibson marketed the film as something Hollywood couldn't, or wouldn't, make. "It's a little weird to trash the establishment, and then to come knocking at the establishment's door during awards season."
But if "The Passion" gets shut out, there's a concern that some Christians could protest and -- worst-case scenario -- boycott the Oscars. "The born- agains will come out screaming that it's another case of censorship," says one source. "The whole Sodom and Gomorrah thing about Hollywood will come up again."
Michael Moore's "Fahrenheit" faces an entirely different problem, Smith reports in the October 25 issue of Newsweek (on newsstands Monday, October 18). Most insiders believe its fate is inextricably tied to the election -- but they can't agree on whether a Bush or a Kerry win helps Moore the most. If John Kerry wins, 'Fahrenheit' gets nominated," says one exec. "Then it becomes 'the movie that changed the course of American history," and the perception will be that Moore contributed to Bush's loss." Or not. "Its chances are zero if Kerry wins, because then the protest is over and everybody feels better," says another source. And, says one Academy member, "If Kerry loses, it gets nominated as a big 'f--- you' to Bush."
"If Kerry loses, it gets nominated as a big 'f--- you' to Bush."
More like a big 'f--- you' to America.
Actions have consequences.
"The born- agains will come out screaming that it's another case of censorship," says one source. "The whole Sodom and Gomorrah thing about Hollywood will come up again."
Really? Hollywood and Sodom and Gomorrah? I never made the connection before. Amazing.
Pssst - if you don't accept it for an award because of bias against a strongly Christian movie, yes, it IS censorship. And if you accept Michael Moores propaganda mess while cutting out the Passion, well, yes we born agains might end up thinking Hollywood is just a tad biased. And you just might get a boycott on Oscar night.
But the Oscars have already been permanently boycotted by so many people already, and they don't even realize it. I used to watch every single one, but I stopped about 10 years ago. Last year I tried again, but turned it off the moment Billy Crystal started making fun of Bush. I think that was in the first 2 minutes of the broadcast.
Beautiful post!
The Passion of the Christ is truth.
Farenheit 9/11 is fiction.
Bingo!
Amen to that!
Do the ratings on Oscar night matter so much that a Christian boycott is a disaster?
Anyway, IMO The Passion absolutely should be nominated for Best Picture.
Ditto's and AMEN
But wait, I thought that Hollywood was a diverse multicultural society not beholden to one particular group!
Christians would boycott the Academy Awards? Wow! I didn't know we'd ever been invited!
Mel is a mischeivous sort. He could rerelease the Passion of Christ during Lenten season in theatres which would coincide with the Oscars. If he really wanted to stick it to the Oscars he could have a one night showing only or maybe have the tv network premiere ....on Oscar night.
And the acts depicted in Passion changed mankind. What a small little man Moore is.
Amen to that!
Mel needs to pull it from consideration. He doesn't need an award for this. Personally, I think he will get a REWARD for his efforts.
Let's start the boycott now.
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