A Joint Statement by the Directors of the Foreign Films Nominated for Oscars

By dianeravitch

February 26, 2017 //

Categories Education Reform

17 Comments Post your own or leave a trackback: Trackback URL

carolmalaysia says:

February 26, 2017 at 1:11 pm

I believe that all of the things the directors of the foreign films says are true. it is unfortunate that leaders of the world no longer care about those who are different. We are all connected and we are the same. I expect to see this portrayed in films across the world.

It is unfair to single out one group as being inferior. They are simply part of the downtrodden that politics has betrayed. We should be working to help these people, not castigate them.

I applaud foreign film directors who stand up for the rights of all to be heard. I applaud their work to make everyone understood. There is a danger when fear is spread.

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Máté Wierdl says:

February 26, 2017 at 1:39 pm

I have feeling, there will be quite a few political speeches at the Oscars this year.

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cary444 (@cary444) says:

February 26, 2017 at 2:55 pm

Well said..and I say Boycott America and all it’s attractions, Let’s see how that works out for our politicians…especially the one who is in the hotel industry. Don’t go to Las Vegas, skip America’s Disney attractions, don’t go to the Grand Canyon…skip American this year, there are quite a few nicer/calmer countries to visit right now.

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- Duane E Swacker says:
  
  February 26, 2017 at 5:48 pm
  
  Why not go to the Grand Canyon?
  
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  - GregB says:
    
    February 26, 2017 at 10:34 pm
    
    It’s a “show your papers” state! I know of a lot of people who were considering trips to the US who are making other plans. It will be interesting to see it if affects large professional meetings like medical conventions.
    
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  - Máté Wierdl says:
    
    February 27, 2017 at 7:16 am
    
    You bet it would. I can’t remember if it was shown here, but over 40K profs signed this petition, 50 are Nobel laurates, As you know, many scientists in this country are foreigners (in math, the vast majority), and there is talk about leaving and moving conferences out of the US.
    
    https://notoimmigrationban.com/
    
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  - Duane E Swacker says:
    
    February 27, 2017 at 8:36 am
    
    What do you mean by “show your papers”? Is it a law? Is it what some law enforcement do only to a select few? I’m not sure what “show your papers” means. TIA, Duane
    
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  - GregB says:
    
    February 27, 2017 at 10:18 am
    
    Arizona passed a law in 2010 that allows police to ask for papers to prove that you are a citizen or in the country legally if they have a “reasonable suspicion” that you are not. If you Google “Arizona show papers” you’ll get a lot of info: https://www.aclu.org/feature/arizonas-sb-1070
    
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  - Duane E Swacker says:
    
    February 27, 2017 at 10:28 am
    
    Thanks! I had forgotten that bit of inane arcanum of Arizona law.
    
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artseagal says:

February 26, 2017 at 2:57 pm

Although those speaking in this article are speaking on behalf of the foreign film nominations, I am sure their words speak on behalf of the majority of people in the film industry. Some of the ABSOLUTELY MOST RAW AND POWERFUL documentaries I have ever seen are coming from this year’s “SHORT LIVE DOCUMENTARIES”. I saw the nominated films and am speechless to describe the powerful emotions they evoke. Three of these deal with Syria and Syrian refugees. And as I understand it, one of the cinematographers for “White Helmets” has been barred entry to the US. It is too clear when watching this film that he risked his life to document ordinary Syrian citizens frantically trying to save fellow civilians amidst the aftermath of the bombings (and during the bombings for that matter). This was a POWERFUL film and it is a national tragedy that “leadership” in the US allows people to be barred US entry based on where they are from. Such a sad time in our history.

“4.1 Miles”, “White Helmets” and “Watani: My Homeland” are three nominated live short documentaries that deal with the current refugee crisis. Each is equally powerful.

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- dianeravitch says:
  
  February 26, 2017 at 3:39 pm
  
  Artsegal,
  
  Yes, I read. That the Syrian cinematographer for “White Helmets” was barred from entering our country. What a message!
  
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  - artseagal says:
    
    February 26, 2017 at 5:29 pm
    
    It actually made me teary-eyed when reading he was banned because this heroic individual truly put his life on the line so that the world could see exactly what is happening to Syrian people during one of many daily bombings. ANd he so importantly documented the good in man too – heroic individuals who should earn purple hearts every day for the work they do! Teary-eyed!
    
    Most people around the world did see one moment in time that this cinematographer documented with his camera – it was all over the news a few years back. Under the massive concrete destruction of a recently dropped bomb, a cry was heard and you can see the White Helmets digging with bare hands rapidly to save this baby. This baby is now two years old.
    
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- Máté Wierdl says:
  
  February 28, 2017 at 6:49 pm
  
  I just saw the “white helmets”. Amazing people under impossible circumstance. How can anybody explain why the Russians are bombing these civilians?
  
  And these white helmets: they go to Turkey for training, but then they go back to their home to fight more, eventhough the whole thing is hopeless: they have no idea when things will end, if at all. At one point they say “On the ground, ISIS, in the air, the Russians. The Russians say, they are killing ISIS, but they are bombing us. And they target white helmets!”
  
  The White Helmets could just stay out, become a refugee. But no. They go back.
  
  Contrast these people, who are all Muslims, listen to what they say, how they feel, what they do and contrast it with what this ahole, primitive Flynnt was saying about all Muslims.
  
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  - carolmalaysia says:
    
    February 28, 2017 at 6:57 pm
    
    2017 Oscar winning speech by Syrian White Helmets for Best Short Documentary
    Published on Feb 26, 2017
    Oscars winning speech by white helmets in Syria send message for Oscars Award Ceremony
    The White Helmets cinematographer Khaled Khatib had a visa to attend the Oscars. He never made it. #Oscars2017
    
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GregB says:

February 26, 2017 at 10:27 pm

“We believe there is no best country, best gender, best religion or best color.”: American exceptionalism/male/televangelism fundamentalists/white. They checked all the right (wing) boxes!

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Máté Wierdl says:

February 27, 2017 at 9:13 am

From ABC news

“The Salesman” took home the Oscar Sunday night for best foreign language film as its director stayed home in protest of President Trump’s travel ban.

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carolmalaysia says:

February 27, 2017 at 9:23 am

5 Best Anti-Trump Statements at the Oscars

By Alexandra Rosenmann / AlterNet
February 26, 2017
President Trump’s ongoing feud with the media was on full display at the 89th annual Academy Awards, where stars and presenters shared spirited reflections on the the new administration’s first month.

Here were the top 5 jabs:

Jimmy Kimmel
“I don’t have to tell everybody the country is divided right now,” the host remarked before offering an offhanded thank you to the sitting president. “Remember last year, when it seemed like the Oscars were racist?,” he said, a dig at 2016’s ‘Oscars So White’.

“That’s gone, thanks to him.”

Kimmel also slammed Tump’s tweeting and immigration ban as part of his shtick….

Kimmel also pointed out “overrated” Meryl Streep in the audience; a label that drew ire and confusion when Trump described the actress as such following her controversial Golden Globes speech.

“Nice dress, by the way,” Kimmel told the actress.”Is that an Ivanka?”…

please visit: http://www.addthis.com/privacy/email-opt-out?e=HiNKT1tBRUNIQkhXWkdIbk5DSEdFAEpBRA

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