Just when you think we'd be done with our Oscar coverage, we get this in our email box, an open letter from a documentary film nominee who is upset at how Jerry Seinfeld introduced the category. Which we thought was odd since after Jerry was done with his bit we were thinking, "why the heck hasn't Seinfeld been the host of the Oscars?" Our pals Seattlest are also pro-Jerry.
Although we're not in the business of printing open letters (yet), we are willing to make exceptions for Academy Award nominated producers.
Especially when we have a photo of Academy Award winning director Clint Eastwood laughing at the presentation in question.
So after the jump read the open letter to the Academy by the producer of Iraq in Fragments.
AP photo by Chris Carlson
An open letter to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Science.
I had the great fortune of attending the 79th Academy Awards following my nomination as producer for a film in the Best Documentary Feature category. At the Awards ceremony, most categories featured an introduction that glorified the filmmakers' craft and the role it plays for the film audience and industry. But when comedian Jerry Seinfeld introduced the award for Best Documentary Feature, he began by referring to a documentary that features himself as a subject, then proceeded to poke fun at it by saying it won no awards and made no money. He then revealed his love of documentaries, as they have a very "real" quality, while making a comically sour face. This less-than-flattering beginning was followed by a lengthy digression that had nothing whatsoever to do with documentary films. The clincher, however, came when he wrapped up his introduction by calling all five nominated films "incredibly depressing!"
While I appreciate the role of humor in our lives, Jerry Seinfeld's remarks were made at the expense of thousands of documentary filmmakers and the entire documentary genre. Obviously we make films not for awards or money, although we are glad if we are fortunate enough to receive them. The important thing is to tell stories, whether of people who have been damaged by war, of humankind's reckless attitude toward nature and the environment, or even of the lives and habits of penguins. With his lengthy, dismissive and digressive introduction, Jerry Seinfeld had no time left for any individual description of the five nominated films. And by labeling the documentaries "incredibly depressing," he indirectly told millions of viewers not to bother seeing them because they're nothing but downers. He wasted a wonderful opportunity to excite viewers about the nominated films and about the documentary genre in general.
To have a presenter introduce a category with such disrespect for the nominees and their work is counter to the principles the Academy was founded upon. To be nominated for an Academy Award is one of the highest honors our peers can give us, and to have the films dismissed in such an offhand fashion was deeply insulting. The Academy owes all documentary filmmakers an apology.
Seinfeld's introduction arrived on the heels of an announcement by the Academy that the number of cities where documentary films must screen to qualify for an Academy Award is being increased by 75%. This will make it much more difficult for independent filmmakers' work to qualify for the Best Documentary Feature Award, while giving an advantage to films distributed by large studios. Fewer controversial films will qualify for Academy consideration, and my film Iraq in Fragments would have been disqualified this year. This announcement came as a great disappointment to me and to other documentary filmmakers. I hope the Academy will reconsider its decision.
On a final note, I would like to point out that there was no mention of the Iraq War during the Oscar telecast, though it was on the minds of many in the theatre and of millions of viewers. It is wonderful to see the Academy support the protection of the environment. Unfortunately there is more than just one inconvenient truth in this world. Having mention of the Iraq War avoided altogether was a painful reminder for many of us that our country is living in a state of denial. As filmmakers, it is the greatest professional crime we can commit not to speak out with the truth. We owe it to the public.
I hope what I have said is taken to heart. It comes from my concern for the cinematic art and its crucial role in the times we're living in.
John Sinno
Academy Award Nominee, Iraq In Fragments
Co-Founder, Northwest Documentary Association
add to digg
add to stumble upon
add to reddit
email this
add to facebook
add to del.icio.us
I had a small problem with Jerry Seinfeld's appearance at the Oscars but it was entirely different from the one expressed by John Sinno - who comes off as being overly serious and humorless - qualities which lead me to think that possibly his documentary was, in fact, "incredibly depressing"
I think it was a good idea to have Jerry Seinfeld present an award and I think the fundamental goal of his appearance was to be entertaining. This is a good idea in my opinion - though it seems to be what John Sinno disaproved of. More Oscar presenters should be entertaining. At the very least, he took a novel approach to the endeavor and shook up the interminable rhythym of the show for a couple of minutes.
I simply had a problem with the premise of his "bit". I almost always throw away my own trash at the movies and I thought it was a bit rude to make a spirited stance in favor of littering. I realize that this was part of the joke and I applaud Jerry Seinfeld's appearance overall. It is just that I thought his premise - that it is absurd to *ask* people to throw out their own trash - was wrong. As a result, I didn't think it was that funny. I guess litter comedy is just too edgy for me.
I agree -- I thought Seinfeld's intro was far more offensive to the people who work in movie theaters, cleaning up between shows, than to documentary filmmakers. Even if Seinfeld wasn't at the top of his form, his comments hardly took anything away from the documentary film genre. It's good to have a sense of humor. So I think you're on your own with this one, John.
-- James Longley
Director, Producer, Co-Editor, Composer, Cinematographer of "Iraq in Fragments"
I thought Jerry Seinfeld was funny -- though out of line. His material would have been good in another setting, but I agree that making fun of documentaries in that manner before presenting a major documentary award was in bad taste. I could also see why movie theaters may not have appreciated his approach. That said, his observational humor is still relevant and pointed. I laughed.
I thought Jerry's introduction was funny, very funny.
The fact that this producer can't appreciate a joke and take it in stride only makes me start to think that documentary producers are in fact determined not chiefly to educate us, but to depress us. Please have a sense of humor, and understand that there is always a time and place for a joke. Yes, even in times of war. While it is important to educate about the suffering and injustice, at the same time it is important for us as human beings to celebrate the spirit of life, and feel good from time to time even during times of war and "climate crisis". We should make jokes and not feel guilty for fucking laughing. For God's sake, that is what the motion picture industry is all about -- it was founded by individuals fleeing persecution.
It seemed like this particular Oscars was documentary-happy -- I don't think the genre is exactly hurting right now. And maybe instead of focusing on the end of the world for every damn second, some thought that maybe they would CELEBRATE the achievement of artists. I'm sure the Academy is sorry that the Oscars telecast did not live up to the level of depression that documentary producers hope for.
I've heard this cat's film is the bee's knees but how smart can he be if he's expecting substance from the Oscars? Get a friggin sense of humor, stop hating on the lameass oscars just because you lost, and go make another film.
Some people have way too much time on their hands. Wah.
yes, like you