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At its ninth annual Oscar Roundtable discussion, NEWSWEEK sat down with Bennett Miller, Steven Spielberg, George Clooney, Ang Lee and Paul Haggis for a two-hour conversation. The directors have made some of the most provocative films of the year, including “Capote,” “Munich,” “Good Night, and Good Luck,” “Brokeback Mountain” and “Crash,” respectively. During the exclusive discussion, the directors spoke about the Middle East, why President Bush has been good for filmmaking, and everything from their worst reviews to the importance of keeping actors nervous. NEWSWEEK Senior Writer David Ansen was there. Best known for his film reviews out of the magazine’s Los Angeles bureau, he’ll be here to take your questions after Oscar nominations are announced on Tuesday. Join him for a Live Talk on Wednesday, Feb. 1, at 2 p.m., ET. Read the transcript below.
David Ansen: Welcome to our live chat on the Oscars, our annual Oscar roundtable, and anything about the year in movie youd like to ask.
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Oakland, CA: My question is about the process of choosing the directors for this annual "must read." Do some turn you down? How do you set the stage for these five talented competitors to appear so respectful and generally supportive of each other?
David Ansen: We pick not just the directors we think will be nominated but those we think will make a great mix together. This year we were 5 for 5, though Ill confess there was one director we asked who turned us down ( I wont say which) The truth is, directors (and actors the years we do them) dont often get to meet together to discuss their craft. They enjoy it as much as we do, and they are much more candid in each others presence than when only talking to reporters. They were very respectful of each other this year, (though often in a teasing way)
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New York, NY: What are the chances that Brokeback will actually win awards at the Oscars? Aren't the Academy voters a bit conservative?
David Ansen: Brokeback has to be considered the front runner, based on the awards, like the DGA award to ang lee, its already won, and the number of nominations. But its not a sure thing by any means. I think if anyone call pull an upset its likely to be "Crash," which is very well liked. Academy voters have tended to be "conservative" but more in an aesthetic sense than a political sense. But no gay love story has ever won any oscars, so this is a test case.. we shall see
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Winston-Salem, NC: RE Amy Adams' nomination: Isn't it unusual for a newcomer in a small independent film to get an Oscar nod? Do you think she has a chance?
David Ansen: The nominations are full of independents this year; theyre practically no different from the Spirit Awards (which go to indies) But "Junebug" was VERY small, so youre right. What this indicates to me is how much influence the critics groups have over the Academy. If she hadnt been singled out by some of the critics awards, this nomination never would have happened. But its well deserved. However, she's a long shot to win. Rachel Weisz and Michelle Williams are the front runners
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Alhambra, CA: "Munich," even though it is the best film of the year, got a surprise nomination for Best Picture. Do you think it has any chance of upsetting "Brokeback Mountain?"
David Ansen: I'd be very surprised if Munich won best Picture. There's too much disagreement about it.
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Hollywood, CA: Clooney or Giamatti?
David Ansen: I think it's Paul Giamatti's year, not only because hes terrific in "Cinderella Man" but because they failed to nominate him for best actor last year in Sideways.
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Atlanta, GA: I've been reading about the strange rules on which documentaries can be considered. Which films weren't eligible this year, but probably should have been? Will they change these rules?
David Ansen: There are all sorts of rules that have to do with docs being shown on TV before theyre shown in theaters. The sundance winner "Why WE Fight" was disqualified for thhis reason. The rules get adjusted each year, but there always seem to be problems. But the 5 they nominated are all quite good this year..everyone knows March of the Penguin. I was particularly pleased that "Darwins Nightmare" and "Street Fight" got nominations. "Murderball" has a chance of upsetting "Penguins" but in this category its always hard to guess the wiinner. The voters have to see all 5 nominees to be eligible to vote
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Brooklyn, NY: Since movies aren't being made for audiences anymore, just for "inside" Hollywood, do you see any reversal of fortune for the continued slump in attendance?
David Ansen: I don't really agree with your premise. Just take a look at the movies that come out every summer. The big studios are ONLY concerned with making "audience" movies. They just dont seem to know exactly what audiences want, and try to repeat past hits with sequels and remakes, until the audience gets bored. Four of the five best pic nominees are NOT big studio movies, but independents. They were made on very low budgets, and will have no problem recouping thier investments. The slump in attendance can be fixed by producing better mass entertainments, but movies now have to compete with so many other sources of entertainment, including DVDs. Many people would rather wait and see it at home
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Cupertino, CA: The movie "Nine Lives" and the actress Mario Bello have received little attention. Why is that? Do you agree that they should be otherwise?
David Ansen: I do agree. I think Nine Lives is one of the most overlooked indie films of the year...with so many great performances by women. I also agree that Maria Bello, so good in History of Violence, deserves more recognition than shes gotten. She's consistently good. I think there was some confusion whether to include her in the best actress or supporting category this year
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Westchester, NY: What are your predictions for winners in the major categories?
David Ansen: Philip Seymour Hoffman for actor, edging out heath ledger. Reese Witherspoon by a nose over Felicity Huffman. Brokeback over Crash for best pic, and Ang Lee a lock for best director. Giamatti for supporting, and I guess rachel Weisz but there could be a surprise there. Original screenplay will be Crash; adaptation either Brokeback or Capote: probably Brokeback
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Hopkins, MN: Why the "Syriana" shutout? I thought it was a much better film than "Munich" or "Good Night and Good Luck."
David Ansen: It did get an original screenplay nomination. I think too many people in the Academy found it hard to follow. (That was part of the point; but Academy members dont want to work too hard )
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Miami, FL: I love John Stewart, but do you think his type of humor is right for the Oscars? Do you think his hosting the show will work?
David Ansen: Good question, and it will be fascinating to see how he can adapt his Daily Show style to the Oscars. Its not an obvious fit, but he's smart enough (and funny enough) to figure out a way to pull it off
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Winston-Salem, NC: Do you think A History of Violence deserved more recognition by the Academy?
David Ansen: This is a movie that wowed the critics more than it wowed the Academy. It only got two nominations, for William Hurt and adapted screenplay. I wouldnt have been unhappy to see Cronenberg get a directing nod, but I wasnt surprised he didnt. Not everyone "gets" its shift of tones and its playfulness.
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Johanessburg, South Africa: Steven Spielberg claims to be a proud jew. Why then does Munich portray the jews in a negative light?
David Ansen: I think its far more complicated than that. I wouldnt say he does portray Jews in a negative light. He shows his characters wrestling with their consciences; having doubts; questioning. Unlike the terrorists they are hunting, they want to avoid hurting innocent people (like the little girl) Its a movie about what violence does to one's sould; I dont see how this casts a negative light.
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Lawndale, CA: We all know that Brokeback Mountain will probably win for best picture when Crash deserves to win. And i am sure King Kong will get snubbed when it deserves nominations across the board. Is it as frustrating to you as it is to me that the academy continues to nominate/vote for films based on the "traditional oscar" style of film making?
David Ansen: Im not sure what you mean by "traditional oscar" style; but you are right that the academy gives short shrift to films it consideres merely "entertainments," Theyve overlooked most of the greatest, and most lasting, comedies ever made, prefering movies on Heavy Subjects. I was particularly sorry that Naomi Watt's performance in KING KONG was overlooked. She was underrated because the genre wasnt taken seriously, but its a terrific performance. I dont however agree that Crash deserves to win. For many reasons. Just one: it seems to me it gets big city racism all wrong from the outset... the whole point of racism in a place like L.A. is that its covert and subtle, not overt. Everyone in the movie wears their prejudice on their sleeve. I didnt buy it
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Weehawken, NJ: Forget homophobia, I have no interest in seeing "Brokeback Mountain." It sounds incredibly dull and lifeless. Am I wrong? I suspect this film was hyped by people who wish to show how "enlightened" they are. True
David Ansen: Not true. People are obviously deeply moved by the film or it wouldnlt be doing as well as it is. I havent seen so many people crying in a theater in years. The pace is slow and deliberate, which may not be to everyones taste, but its quietly building emotional power. "Enlightened"? Whats the big deal about people in love. Thats pretty basic stuff.
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Fairport, NY: Is there any self awareness, particularly amongst the hottest directors in Hollywood, that many in the mainstream find them unbearably egotistical and out of touch? Act. Direct. Produce. Keep your political opinions to yourselves.
David Ansen: Let's not forget that the movies have been reflecting political attitudes and positions from the beginning, from Chaplin's Modern Times and Griffiths Birth of a Nation to Capra's Mr Smith Goes to Washington. Im not sure if youre referring to thier expressing thier political opinions in our roundtable or in their films, but if you see these movies, they are not really didactic. Certainly theres room for movies to raise questions and reflect the real world. Youre free to avoid those movies.
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North Miami, FL: Why isn't there a category for casting director? Doesn't the casting of the film have a lot to do with the quality of it?
David Ansen: The casting directors have been lobbying for a long time to get Oscar recognition, but they keep getting turned down. The casting is hugely important; whats harder to determine in some movies is which of the actors were picked by the producer and director (the big names, who are needed for financing) and which are the casting directors choices
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Seattle, WA: I saw 'Good Night, and Good Luck' and was really unimpressed. It portrayed an important part of history, but I felt it was lacking climax or analysis, or some sort of lasting impression. Am I missing something? Could this be a generational gap because I didn't actually live through the period?
David Ansen: it could be a generational thing. Some of my first TV memories are watching the army-mccarthy hearings on black and white tv with my parents. Thus the movie had a deep emotional resonance for me that many people dont feel. Based on its 6 nominations, the Academy obviously responded to it as well.
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Portland, OR: Do you think pressing a particular agenda in a film truly does change people's minds?
David Ansen: This is a big question, and hard one to answer. Movies have enormous impact on people , but often in ways the filmmaker doesnt intend. I dont think audiences like to feel lectured at, but if you can move them emotionally, they may look at things differently. I dont have the time or space to give you a full answer here; its a fascinating topic for discussion
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Flora, MS: Spielberg, Clooney, Miller, Lee, and Haggis think it takes courage to upset some of us "neocons" out here in fly over country. Don't you think it takes real courage to be Mel Gibson and piss off Hollywood with the Passion of the Christ?
David Ansen: It did take courage for Gibson (especially to dare to make a movie in a language no one speaks, aramic) Movies should get people all roiled up, or, at least, talking about things. Ideally, they'll be entertaining AND provocative.
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David Ansen: Thank you for your questions and for joining the chat. Our time is up. Let's all hope for great movies in 06!
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