Film Excluded from Oscar Competition for Being Palestinian
_POSTEDON 2002-12-08 20:40:03 by
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rula _WRITES "http://palestinechronicle.com/article.php?story=20021208180300409
WASHINGTON (PC) - On the grounds that “Palestine is not a nation”, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has refused the Palestinian entry “Divine Intervention”, for the nomination of “Best Foreign Film”.
Palestinian director Elia Suleiman
The movie, which was directed by the renowned Palestinian director Elia Suleiman, recently won the Jury Award in the world famous “Cannes Film Festival” of France.
The film describes a love story between a Palestinian man from Jerusalem, and a Palestinian woman from Ramallah, set against the background of the harsh conditions of Israeli occupation and repression.
The American film industry has often been accused of “backwardness” with regard to the recognition of Palestinian rights, and of the standard portrayal of Arabs in negative stereotypes of aggression and savagery.
The sharp contrast between the film coming out as a winner in the Cannes festival on the European continent, while not being allowed to enter the competition in the United States, also illustrates the differences in the political climate between the two continents.
Hollywood producer Phil Ed sharply criticized the Academy’s stance, stating : "it seems to me that the Academy and the entire Hollywood film industry has lost yet another piece of its credibility. "
Editor’s Note: To contact the academy regarding its decision, direct your letters or queries to: (Academy Foundation, 8949 Wilshire Blvd, Beverly Hills, CA 90211; Phone: 310-247-3000; Fax: 310-859-9351; www.oscars.org; Email: ampas@oscars.org
-Palestine Chronicle (palestinechronicle.com). Redistributed via Press International News Agency (PINA)."
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