65 online
 
Most Popular Choices
Share on Facebook 19 Printer Friendly Page More Sharing
General News    H4'ed 1/18/14

Open Letter To The Movie Academy Over Snub to "Mandela" Movie

By       (Page 1 of 5 pages)   1 comment
Message Danny Schechter

Open Letter to The Academy Of Motion Pictures Arts And Sciences

RE: Snub To Nelson Mandela Just Six Weeks After He Died

From Danny Schechter

New York, New York: It was ironic to read that the theme of this year's Oscar ceremony will be heroes---even as the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences just snubbed the movie about Nelson Mandela that South Africa's first black President, and without question, a hero of the world, had given his rights to be turned into a major motion picture.

He wanted it made by South Africans, somehow not trusting foreign moviemakers.

I wonder why.

No one is questioning the Academy's right to nominate and honor any movie but, given the world we live in, and its need for inspiration, we can question the judgment involved in passing over a critically acclaimed story of a successful fight for freedom while lesser themes seem to be considered more compelling: crime dramas that spoof, but don't explain, the greed and criminality on Wall Street and government, a love affair between a man and his laptop, and a movie focusing on the ordeal of slave but not the system of slavery, among others.

For reasons that seem to reflect the commercial imperatives and callousness in American popular culture, we exploit the violence associated with victimization and subjugation but don't admire the sacrifice connected with liberation. 

" Why does Hollywood prefer to milk guilt rather than promote solidarity? It is not "sour grapes" to ask questions like this.

Next Page  1  |  2  |  3  |  4  |  5

(Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher).

Interesting 1  
Rate It | View Ratings

Danny Schechter Social Media Pages: Facebook page url on login Profile not filled in       Twitter page url on login Profile not filled in       Linkedin page url on login Profile not filled in       Instagram page url on login Profile not filled in

News Dissector Danny Schechter is blogger in chief at Mediachannel.Org He is the author of PLUNDER: Investigating Our Economic Calamity (Cosimo Books) available at Amazon.com. See Newsdisssector.org/store.htm.
Go To Commenting
The views expressed herein are the sole responsibility of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of this website or its editors.
Writers Guidelines

 
Contact AuthorContact Author Contact EditorContact Editor Author PageView Authors' Articles
Support OpEdNews

OpEdNews depends upon can't survive without your help.

If you value this article and the work of OpEdNews, please either Donate or Purchase a premium membership.

STAY IN THE KNOW
If you've enjoyed this, sign up for our daily or weekly newsletter to get lots of great progressive content.
Daily Weekly     OpEd News Newsletter
Name
Email
   (Opens new browser window)
 

Most Popular Articles by this Author:     (View All Most Popular Articles by this Author)

Israel Gives All Jews A Bad Name

Is There A Threat of Fascism in the USA?

Free Marketers Going After Occupy Wall Street --Danny Schechter

WHO OWNS OUR MEDIA AND WHY IT MATTERS

COG OR COA: WHY IS OBAMA MORPHING INTO BUSH 2?

WERE THE BANKS TOO BIG TO FAIL OR THE BANKERS TOO BIG TO JAIL?

To View Comments or Join the Conversation:

Tell A Friend