I'm almost tempted to say that Raja Sen is a fraud, posing as a film critic and he has absolutely no understanding of either social concepts or issues, or filmmaking. Like a lot of readers said here, Crash depicts racial tensions, especially in LA, most beautifully. In terms of the sheer number of people this affects, it is a more relevant social issue. And secondly, this movie was phenomenal!!! It was more mind blowing than any cinematic experience in the past 4-5 years. Please Rediff, hire me instead, I can't stand to see this guy's columns, which are so peurile, asinine, and pretentious that it makes me sick to the stomach.
I do agrre with you, Raja that the oscars are palying it safe over the years, but common give me a break...Brokeback mountain is surely a gr8 film, in fact it virtually made a sweep in all the other major awards(golden globes, bafta) n point to be noted here is that there are many common members in jury of these multiple awards...so its really not that the academy didnt want 2 offend anyone and kept it safe by awarding "Crash"..no certainly not...in fact Crash was a beautiful movie...n MR. Raja Sen, do remember it was in ROGER EBERT's (who in my opinion, is still the greatest movie critic alive)...so plz stop robbing CRAH of its moment of glory...n why this hoopla only over Brokeback...Why didnt u say anything when Reese undeservingly won it over the truly talented Felicity Huffman, playing a TRANSGENDER...so plz a word of advice for Raja..stop accusing the academy of being biased or playing it safe,...when we, including you and me, ourselves are just like that
I dont know why people are so worked up against Brokeback not winning the oscar?? Brokeback is nothing but a normal love stroy which has been repeated in some infinite movies before, except for it being a man-man love. Its not a great movie, just a bold movie.. oscars dont go to bold movies but to great movies and Crash is surely the greater movie. I urge people not to take this non-award as a personal insult to one\\\'s orientation. Also, please stop preaching to us all normal people that homosexuality is all about love and nothing abnormal about it.
Just because, you have to fill the pages doesn't mean that you have to swear on the academy. I am surprised, what made you think that picking up Crash and not picking "Brokeback Mountain" is a decision driven by cowardice. I am not belittling "Brokeback Mountain" but I think the world needs more than cowboy love.
what is rediff doing with this self-delusional idiot. the fact is the oscars is just another award function not above prejudice or manipulation, just like any other.
These people are wrapped in time. they can't the things are changing. these conservative tugs will deny any liberal insights of this society. it is a delibrate effort to deny the best film.. its Oscar
One simply cant complain about the academy awards sitting bak in office. There are various factors and issues involved in selecting the best picture.Perhaps its your view about the movie.
Brokeback Mountain might be a classic in terms of professional cinema. But the content is too wierd about gay relationships. Even animals dont sleep with their same gender. I hope you wouldnt too.
I think you are just a translator of the western critics about the Oscars 2006. And also you are no where near judging hollywood films. Maybe you try your bollywood films which does match your standards.
Dont ignore this mail if you are true professional.
Raja, just imagine Brokeback Mountain's Ennis being a woman Anne, and then reimagine the film. Would you have still given it the best film? Wouldn't it just have been another maudlin romance? The why give it awards just because both protagonists are gay? That's a typical liberal thinking - award something for breaking the mould rather than for objective reasons. Snap out of that Raja.
And your list of "Films That Made A Difference But Were Unfairly Ignored" is frankly laughable, and lowers your esteem in our eyes. Chocolat? Chocolat!? You must be joking right? Anyway, I'll let that go. You must be embarrassed enough as it is...
Why not actually applaud the Oscars this year for nominating and awarding smaller, political films rather than the CGI laden mostrocities of the last few years? Titanic? LOTR? Please...I think the nominations were so good this year, it hardly mattered who won.
Crash, GNGL, BBM, are all fantastic films. Crash was quite a revelation, as was Ang Lee's direction, and both won. MOre power to all of them, Clooney included. And here's a prediction. Clooney will win Best Director or best film soon. He's that good.
Raja Sen, What have you achieved? To make such a comment that the Oscars are driven by cowardice... you are not qualified enough... Just because you watch some films and always give a review contrary to that of public opinion doesn't give you the right to make a mockery of everything. Just because CRASH wasn't as bold as Brokeback Mountain doesn't mean it doesn't deserve to be the best film. It is an incredible film and I thought it was much more powerful than BBM. Not only was Crash a great film, it made me think about whats going on around me. While BBM just made me feel I was watching a good film. Not that you would know the impact of racism around the world being in India. Please keep your unqualified and biased opinions in the future to yourself. Why don't you go watch Paheli again?
