Folman's Choice
After being criticized by Israeli fans for recycling his Ophir Awards acceptance speech at last month's Golden Globes, Waltz With Bashir director Ari Folman has stated a willingness to read any remarks suggested by readers of Yair Raveh's Cinemascope (and of this column, of course) if and when he wins the Best Foreign Language Film Oscar this coming Sunday.
If it happens a Bashir win will be (a) the first Oscar for an Israeli film after eight nominations, (b) the first foreign-language win for an animated film, and (c) the first foreign language win for a documentary. Folman, who has been winging it so far, promised Raveh he'll "read all suggestions between now and Sunday. And if he reads something genuinely brilliant he will not hesitate to use it on live TV."
There's a missing something-or-other in all this. I've listened to Folman speak off the cuff about Waltz With Bashir, and he's never been less than eloquent. He's a very solid and rooted fellow. No b.s. in him. So why would it be a problem for him to tap out his own possible acceptance speech? Especially given the (expected?) option of weaving in a remark about the recent hostilites in Gaza?
Posted by Jeffrey Wells on February 17, 2009 at 5:57 AM
comment #1
Sabina E
says ...
NOBODY should have to buckle under political pressure in pleasing the Israelis or the Palestinians or any other side. He should have the right to express himself and say whatever he wants in his acceptance speech (IF he wins... which is most likely anyway).
Pretending to ignore the hostilities in Gaza and acting as if everything is dandy fine would be a huge insult for both the Israelis and Palestinians, no doubt.
Posted by Sabina E
at February 17, 2009 7:41 AM
comment #2
hunterd
says ...
I shared a gondela ride with Foleman after Waltz With Bashir played in Telluride. A very odd man. Kept commenting that he had told these anecdotes about the film, but that they somehow felt different in the dark.
Posted by hunterd
at February 17, 2009 2:26 PM