Passion shut out of Oscars…

…in what appears to be a Blue State snub of Red States. Church of the Masses offers a couple good ideas. Let’s email EWTN and Pax TV and ask them to play the Passion during the evening of the Oscar ceremony.

9 comments

  1. I don’t think this has happend (yet). I believe the post on Church of the Masses indicated that a shut-out was anticipated, not that it’s happened. (I don’t think the nominations are out yet).
    That said, watching the Oscars on TV is about as exciting as watching mold grow.

  2. I don’t think this has happend (yet). I believe the post on Church of the Masses indicated that a shut-out was anticipated, not that it’s happened. (I don’t think the nominations are out yet).
    That said, watching the Oscars on TV is about as exciting as watching mold grow.

  3. Mio:
    That is correct, the nominations are not out yet. They will be announced at 530 am Pacific on Jan. 25.
    I concur with Barbara’s prediction about a total PASSION shutout, though it don’t it’s ALL “we hate those Bush-loving red-state Xtian fundamentalists.”

  4. The Passion was a landmark achievement in film, but its violence is too much for U.S. broadcast TV such as Pax.
    In any case, playing the film to score a political point isn’t a good idea. I’d like to see it return to theaters every few years during Lent.

  5. RC:
    Your idea about Lent every few years is a good one and I didn’t like seeing the film being turned into a kulturkampf football back in 2003 and early 2004 (though we’ve long passed the point of no return on that one in my opinion.)
    That said, I’m not sure I agree with what you say about THE PASSION’s violence. After all, SCHINDLER’S LIST and SAVING PRIVATE RYAN have both been shown unedited on ABC. And there was a minor flap last year about some affiliates wanting to back out of the Veteran’s Day showing of SPR, citing fear of FCC fines. Imagine the furor if the FCC tried to order a PG-version of PASSION. It also would matter whether PAX is over-the-air, basic cable, or premium cable (as the FCC applies completely different standards to all three.) But even at the basic cable level, Comedy Central will sometimes show (complete with warnings and in the overnight block) such movies as SOUTH PARK, JAY AND SILENT BOB, CLERKS, and some of the comedy conert films of Richard Pryor, Chris Rock and others — with no edits.

  6. Passion might get a best cinematography nomination, maybe a best supporting actress nomination for either the actress who played Mary or Monica Bellucci, who played Mary Magdalene. No best picture, best director, or best actor nominations however.

  7. I see that supporters should start a boycott of Oscars and state the no one should purchase any products that advertisers broadcast during the Oscars…hit them where it hurts!

Leave a comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.