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| NEWSWEEK: The Oscars: Giving Best-Picture Nod to 'The Passion of the Christ' Is Almost 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.
(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20041017/NYSU009 )
"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."
(Article attached. Read Newsweek's news releases at http://www.Newsweek.com.
Click "Pressroom" at bottom of page.)
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6257067/site/newsweek/
SOURCE Newsweek
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