I wouldn't be so quick with charges of racism against the Academy. The Academy has rules just like any other organization.
"In order to be eligible for an Oscar nomination films must be released in theaters in Los Angeles county for at least a week. The movie must also not be broadcast in non-theatrical format before releasing in L.A., hence Netflix’s simultaneous online and in-theaters release." The problem
with Netflix’s simultaneous online and in-theaters release is that major movie chains refused to show it, In releasing it simultaneously, Netflix is squeezing the ticket and concession profits out of the few theaters who agreed to show it. That's where the big buck comes that pays Hollywood elite exorbitant
salaries. Maybe some day the Academy will change the rules, but the Netflix expirement in bending the rules failed.
The film’s production budget was just $6 million and Netflix bought its distribution rights for $12 million. Since major movie chains didn't want to
devote theater time or resources to a film that could easily be seen more timely from your couch, only 31 small independent theaters opted
to show it. To date they only have domestic Total Gross of $90,777. A colossal box office flop. Theater owners aren’t happy. I suppose cries of racist
will bring in a few more bucks.
The book didn't sell well either. Probably why a minor production company picked it up.
Nor did Netflix spend much on advertising lobbying necessary for Oscar attention.
I have not seen it, nor is there even a remote chance that I will.
BL,
Man, that is great information! How and where did you get all that info? I did not know about the Los Angeles County viewing requirement. I guess that goes for documentaries too, but certainly not foreign films, which I think "BONN" is. Isn't it considered a Foreign film or Domestic?
I an not sold on the idea that BONN not being nominated is a racist issue. Nor do I think racism had anything to do with it. I was asking "WHY?" more so in respect as to why it was overlooked. Not understanding the Academy processes for nomination. But, now that I am armed with this info now I understand why it probably was not nominated. So, thank you
for that enlightenment BL.
Neither am I indicting the Academy of being racist. My argument is geared more towards my displeasure with race always being brought up BEFORE the Awards by those of color who are not nominated. It wears me out. However, it now has come to pass that their is cause for change there and the Academy has recognized its antiquated ways of selecting.
Also, Jazz is right in his view that the Academy is way out of touch in the internet age and do in fact need to recognize that there are more than one ways to produce, distribute and show a film for audiences. If they don't then the Academy Awards will lose their panache and another award system will become more popular.
On a side note, I know and do business with a guy who once owned some umpteen hundred or so Blockbuster Franchises. When he was at his peak, he had an idea for seamless returns and check-outs; a Drop Box idea. He took it to the Blockbuster big wigs and they mocked him and said "like a vending machine? uh...no that will never work...you see people want to come in and walk around, pick up the movie, read the back of it, talk about and enjoy their BB experience" He had done well enough with BB and decided to retire and sold all of his Franchises (some back to Blockbuster who paid his asking price). HE Retired and moved on and watched the stock of a new company called NETFLIX who send movies in the mail. He talked to his old buddies at BB about that one too and they said "In the mail? That would never work". Well, they went from in the mail to online to production of movies, docs and original series in a very, very, very short time. Soon after that BB went under and the rest is history.
My point is-is that if any organization, program or company is not open to change or new ideas they will fail...even the Academy Awards. Moreover, if they overlook, exclude or dismiss other artists work as "less than" and don't look deeper into films across the spectrum they will miss out on gems and masterpieces. It is there solemn duty to vet movies that are blockbusters and art house indies and currently in my humble opinion they have failed for a very long time. The industry itself has failed in producing limited material open only to limited actors and actresses. The degree of nepotism in Hollywood is shameless and the degree to keep as a condition of production is choking the diversity we see on the screen.
Someone on this thread said it best whereby to hurt the movie industry is to hit them in the pocket book. I could not agree more and I think thats just what I will do.
John from Texas
PS: BL it really is a good movie. Like I said I compare it to the same type of cinematic feel of
A Thin Red Line, but the narrator is the child soldier.
