Well never know the reason behind the apparent snub of the film Selma in the acting and directing categories for Sundays Oscars.
Maybe the academy members really thought there were five better choices in those categories.
Maybe it is subtle or not-so-subtle racism.
Maybe it really was a backlash over the films incorrect depiction of President Lyndon B. Johnson as adversary of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. rather than an ally.
Heres what we do know: For reasons I have yet to hear adequately explained, the filmmakers chose to mischaracterize the relationship between Johnson and King.
By the time the film was in general release and while Oscar nominations were underway the true, cooperative nature of the pairs relationship had been well-documented, originally by LBJs defense secretary Joseph A. Califano Jr. writing in The Washington Post and later by some pretty clear phone recordings.
When the Oscar nominations were announced, Selma had just two: for best song (Glory) and best picture one of eight films in that category, hardly the exclusive club it once was.
Rewriting history to suit ones own purposes is a dangerous endeavor: History is full of examples, from the former Soviet Union to Brian Williams.
Whats more, since entertainment vehicles like television programs and films live on and reach far more people than boring history books its important that not too many liberties be taken with historical stories.
A surprising number of Americans believe that dinosaurs and humans lived on Earth at the same time, probably because of The Flintstones. And look at how many people really think Sarah Palin said, I can see Russia from my house, rather than Tina Fey on Saturday Night Live.
But The Flintstones and Saturday Night Live are comedies; they dont purport to be telling true historical tales. Selma is different.
Before you go all American Sniper on me, lets readily acknowledge that Bradley Coopers portrayal of Chris Kyle softens many of the real persons rough edges and makes him a more sympathetic character. But at its core, it stays true to Kyles persona. Selma doesnt do that with the King-LBJ relationship.
The reaction to the criticism of Selma has been all over the place. One writer on Salon.com defended the film, saying its critics were insisting that a black narrative be told through the lens of a benevolent white man.
Of course, thats ridiculous. A true depiction of LBJs role in no way diminishes Kings story because Kings story really happened.
But by rewriting history, Selma not only missed out on some Oscar love but also the opportunity to tell an important story.
Sure, the film depicts Kings important work and the fact that one man can make a difference. What it missed out on was the chance to show that a black man and a white man can work together to fight something as important as racism.
These days, thats a story that desperately needs to be told.
David Medzerians column appears on Fridays;
reach him at
dmedzerian@ocregister.com.
Source: http://www.ocregister.com/articles/selma-651821-king-film.html
