Oscars see tears, peace pins, anti-war speeches

Reuters | 3/23/03 | Jill Serjeant

[kattracks]

Oscars see tears, peace pins, anti-war speeches

By Jill Serjeant

LOS ANGELES, March 23 (Reuters) - Some said it with tears, some said it with flowers, some stars let their peace pins do the talking, and one pulled no punches.

They might have taken the glitz out of Sunday's Oscars but in the end there was no distancing the biggest show in Hollywood from the real drama on the other side of the world.

Maverick director Michael Moore, director of the documentary "Bowling for Columbine," issued the bluntest denunciation of the war against Iraq from the winner's podium before an estimated audience worldwide of 1 billion people.

"We live in a time where we have a man sending us to war for fictitious reasons. Whether it is the fiction of duct tape or the fiction of orange alerts, we are against this war, Mr. Bush. Shame on you, Mr. Bush!," shouted Moore, wagging his finger to a mixed reception of boos and cheers from the celebrity audience.

His outburst shattered the restraint that had marked the Oscar ceremony where stars such as Colin Farrell, Salma Hayek and Julianne Moore wore discreet peace pins or peace doves on their gowns and tuxedos but otherwise kept their opinions largely to themselves.

Some of Hollywood's most strident anti-war campaigners, including Barbra Streisand, Susan Sarandon and Richard Gere prompted surprise by sticking to the official Oscar script.

But Adrien Brody, while overcome with joy at his surprise best actor win for the holocaust drama "The Pianist," said he was also filled with sadness.

"My experience in making this film made me very aware of the sadness and the dehumanization of people at times of war and the repercussions of war. Whether you believe in God or Allah, may he watch over you and let's pray for a peaceful and swift resolution," Brody said to warm applause.

DILEMMA FOR ACADEMY

Frank Pierson, the president of the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences, had struggled for a week with the dilemma of whether Sunday's show should go on in the midst of a controversial war.

Pierson told the audience simply; "To all of our men and women overseas, God speed and let's get you home soon. To the Iraqi people, I say, let's have peace soon and let you live without war."

Chris Cooper, winner of the best supporting actor for "Adaptation," said tearfully; "In light of all the trouble in this world, I wish us all peace."

Spanish director Pedro Almodovar, winner of the original screenplay Oscar for "Talk to Her" dedicated his award to "all the people that are raising their voices in favor of peace, respect of human rights, democracy and international legality."

Nicole Kidman, winner of the best actress Oscar for "The Hours," answered the question that had been on the minds of dozens of celebrities, and their critics, all week.

"Why do you come to the Academy Awards when the world is in such turmoil? Because art is important, and because you believe in what you do and you want to honor that, and it is a tradition that needs to be upheld.

"At the same time you say there are a lot of problems in the world, and since Sept. 11 there's been a lot of pain in terms of families losing people, and now with the war, families losing people. And God bless them."

The last word went to presenter Steve Martin, who had largely confined himself to Hollywood in-jokes during the three-and-a-half-hour show, which was to be broadcast to U.S. troops in the Gulf.

"To the men and women overseas -- we are thinking of you. Why? We hoped you enjoyed the show. It was for you."

[merrin]

I just got done watching the (mediocre and overrated) movie Gladiator, and I think I've got it figured out: Hollywood believes that violence is only good when it's for personal revenge rather than national defense.

[Texas_Jarhead]

"To the men and women overseas -- we are thinking of you. Why? We hoped you enjoyed the show. It was for you."
lame and absurd - if the awards are for anyone it's for themselves

[Diddle E. Squat]

Hollywood really love their rapists.

[BossLady]

It's also done for the actors to get awards. Notice how many films/actors get awards for war or conflict movies??

[fly_so_free]

Michael Moore-He played the big fat slug in the Star Wars movie- Jabba the Hut right?

[snickeroon]

Well, perhaps that's one way of trying to "save" this pitiful, pathetic, SHOULD HAVE BEEN CANCELLED event. But can you imagine how wonderful it made all these valiant men and women feel to hear that their Commander and Chief was a "fictitious" President elected in a "fictitious" election.... and that he should feel "SHAME" for this war....

A war which these brave men and women are sacrificing their lives to fight. Personally, I think it is an insult to dedicate this bloated, pompous, TRIVIAL TV show to troops who REALLY deserve to be honored.

[goldstategop]

I didn't watch it out of self-respect. Its not like I missed anything with these pompous jerks induling in an orgy of anti-Americanism and overdone self-congratulation.

[WRhine]

I just got done watching the (mediocre and overrated) movie Gladiator, and I think I've got it figured out: Hollywood believes that violence is only good when it's for personal revenge rather than national defense.

That was very insightful and right on the mark. Mel Gibson is about the only one these days that goes against the grain in Hollyweird.

[Conservababe]

Moore said earlier this week "the Oscars will go on because that is what the troops are fighting for".

Is there any ego larger than his?

[Bulldogger]

Michael Moore would certainly be an expert on things fictional, wouldn't he? "Snip, snip. Splice, splice. I can make Heston sound not so nice!"

[SpyGuy]

I, for one, boycotted the "Awards" broadcast, just as I will boycott every movie and TV show made by those who would give aid and comfort to our enemies in time of war. I shall also boycott any products they endorse and any companies who employ them.

They may be entitled to their opinions. But I am entitled to keep my hard-earned dollars out of their pockets.

[laz17]

It was said that this orgy of anti-Americanism masquerading as an awards show could be a target of terrorists. Believe me, my utter abhorrence of the leftist Tinseltown trash has reached such proportions that if terrorists had struck them, I would have cheered. There can be no justice more poetic than for these moral degenerates to become the victims of the sub-human savages they have chosen to support against their own country.

[MCH]

I figured I'd watch these Awards and see how it went. My primary motivation was really due to the fact that it was being broadcast for the first time in HDTV with Dolby Digital 5.1 sound (excellent quality actually - I could see all the star's liver spots, caked-on makeup, etc. in great detail).

Anyway, I would have turned it off if my blood pressure went too high. It almost did after Michael Moore-on shot off his fat-ass mouth, but all the boos helped. It wasn't too bad overall.

Most of the comments were fairly tasteful - hoping for peace and a quick return of the troops. I can easily agree with that, even though I believe this war is more than justified.

The only people I had a problem with were Moore-on, who was WAY over the top - declaring that Bush was a "fictional president" - some Mexican ass who's name I don't remember, and Susan Sarandon who kept rolling her eyes and looking like an ass while she presented (undoubtedly because she was either told or advised to keep her fat mouth shut). Overall, it wasn't too bad except for Moore-on. It's a major disgrace that he got an award for "best documentary". What a joke. Next, they'll be nominating pure fiction as a "documentary", rather than just fact and lie-based semi-fiction.

[Mike Darancette]

Some said it with tears, some said it with flowers, some stars let their peace pins do the talking,..

Did anyone see an American Flag Pin? I saw only one, John Voight -- bless him.

[Young Rhino]

I guess that the title of this article was enough of a barf-alert, but geez...I have an urge to introduce that fat pig Moore to a wood chipper...or in the words of the Iraqi Ambassador to the U.N., I'd like to introduce him to "international humanitarian law consistent with the Geneva Convention," just like the Iraqis treated the POWs.

Is there any way that we can volunteer Moore as a Baghdad human shield? I'll donate part of the air fare.

[sheik yerbouty]

That was Jerrold Nadler. Moore was his stand in.

[The PeteMan]

Michael Moore-ON

He is a big fat Idiot!