------------------------- Via Workers World News Service Reprinted from the April 3, 2003 issue of Workers World newspaper -------------------------
TELEVISED WORLDWIDE: OSCAR WINNTER DENOUNCES BUSH'S WAR
By Monica Moorehead
The Oscar ceremony is watched each year by a worldwide audience estimated at a billion people. The producers of this glitzy show said the 75th anniversary of the Academy Awards would be aired on March 23, war or no war. These same producers, on behalf of the Bush administration, pressured presenters and winners alike beforehand not to use the podium to make political statements on the war.
While a few artists took the occasion to call for peace, it was Michael Moore, the progressive director and producer, who courageously took it a step further, making the most powerful statement of all.
Moore's "Bowling for Columbine," a powerful, satirical look at the symptoms and roots of U.S. violence, was among the nominees for best documentary feature. As his name was announced as the winner of this category, Moore called on the other nominees to come with him to the stage. They all wore peace buttons in a show of unity.
In his acceptance speech, Moore stated that while documentary artists focus on non-fiction subjects, Bush was a fictitious president sending U.S. soldiers to Iraq for fictitious reasons. Then he shouted, "Shame on you, Mr. Bush!" This provoked both sporadic boos and a standing ovation from the divided audience of actors, directors and producers.
Days before the Oscar ceremony, Moore won the Independent Spirit Award. At that event, he demanded that CNN dismiss all the retired and active military officers it hires to interpret the news. n
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