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NEWS >POLITICS > OBAMA SHORTLISTED FOR BEST DIRECTOR OSCAR
OBAMA SHORTLISTED FOR BEST DIRECTOR OSCAR
December 20 2009
Hollywood, CA – Hollywood always saves it’s best for last. Traditionally the movie studios have three separate periods through the year when it comes to releasing films; The first third is a dumping ground for mediocre product, the second is 
blockbuster films, and the third is Oscar bait and family fare. That method has largely proven a success for the studios with only a few movies outside the traditional period garnering Oscar attention. Once September roles around every movie endures some kind of Oscar talk, by the time December approaches the bets are in and 2009 is no exception to the rule.
With high profile films such as Clint Eastwood’s ‘Invictus’, Peter Jackson’s ‘The Lovely Bones’, Rob Marshall’s ‘Nine’, and James Cameron’s ‘Avatar’ soaking up most of the early attention for the awards many believe that a lot of the decisions have already been made. While it’s likely that those directors, all previous best director nominees or winners, will see attention come nomination time a new dark horse has emerged that is both surprising and expected at the same time. Early betting indicates that President Barack Obama is on the very shortlist for a best director and possibly best actor award despite not having directed in or performed in a film in the 2009 season.
“Really, the issue is whether or not he will be nominated the issue is how many times and in what categories. Obama has without a doubt been one of the most prominent figures in the United States and around the world in a long time and so it only makes sense that an organization like the Academy would want to get a little of that love,” said Scrape TV Entertainment analyst Tracey Temple. “I mean if the Nobel committee can find reason to give him an award surely the Academy can do the same. It will mean bending the rules a little and perhaps risk angering a person who has worked their entire life to get a chance to win an Oscar, but that is really secondary to the gains that would be accomplished by giving him an award.”
Early bets are on a best director nomination but given the tough competition likely in that category it’s likely he will also see an acting nomination which is seen as a lock for a win.
“Obama has been directing the country and has done an up and down job. He’s had some hills and some valleys but it’s very clear that his acting is far superior to his directing which would mean an almost certain win. Sure we will see Matt Damon and Daniel Day-Lewis on that list, but no one has given a better performance than Obama this year,” continued Temple. “Traditionally the Oscars have been given out for film work, that’s true, but the last ten or fifteen years have seen a major shift from studio pictures towards independent film so there is precedent for altering the paradigm a little bit, something that is totally justified when it means rewarding the best.”
Other possibilities for Obama include visual effects and costume design.
“Whatever category he’s in Obama will be the favourite. I think the Academy would be missing a great opportunity if they ignored the chance to give Obama an award. Not only would it help the ratings for the show, it will add a much needed level of credibility to the enterprise, something it has been sorely lacking of late,” continued Temple. “An Academy Award will also look great alongside his other trophies. It will make a great bookend to the Nobel prize, at least until he wins something else.”
Obama has also been shortlisted for the Pulitzer, a Grammy, an MTV Movie Award, and an ABC Excellence in Construction award for his robust trophy case at the White House.
Edward Bastil, Political Correspondent
NEWS >POLITICS > OBAMA SHORTLISTED FOR BEST DIRECTOR OSCAR
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