Follow up on Navalny Oscar Controversy
I received several thoughtful responses to my blog: Why Did Navalny Win the Oscar? Here are a few editors and filmmakers who gave permission to weigh in on the controversy.
I loved what editor Ken Schneider said, “I have a different take. Navalny was structured as a classic thriller, a la Jason Bourne et al…Wonderful cinematic experiments like Time or Fire of Love rarely win. BTW, I think it is a mischaracterization to say that FoL is about documenting the volcano. I’d say it is a love story against the canvas of volcanos erupting. A truly innovative piece, which guarantees that it wouldn’t be selected.”
Next up is Julie A. Parker, producer of Baba Babee Skazala: Grandmother Told Grandmother. We story consulted on this award-winning documentary about Ukraine’s war-torn past. Julie’s comment was news to me:
“In general, Ukrainians are not Navalny fans because of his years of expressed imperial sentiments and statements against Ukrainians and other parts of the former Soviet Union…Navalny competing for best documentary against the Ukrainian film, A House Made of Splinters, and Navalny’s wife choosing to not even mention Russia’s war against Ukraine in her Oscars acceptance speech – some understanding of Ukrainian history makes one view the selection of Navalny a bit more cynically.”
Julie shared two articles that explain why, as one headline puts it, “For many in Ukraine, the [Oscar] Award for Navalny is part of the Russia problem”.
Thank you, Julie! Some readers asked where to watch Navalny. I don’t have a link but it’s streaming on HBO Max. Finally, here’s an interesting remark from Sabrina Oertle, EP of Blue Chair Productions Inc., re why it won the Oscar for Best Feature Documentary:
“Well, I for one, was voting for [Navalny] early on. This doc hit so many filmmaking marks, and I think Academy voters saw that too. I mean…his subject matter for one thing was surreal and most of all very timely. Also the Doc Gods gave the Director: 1) a handsome subject and charming family that we could like immediately; 2. a current war situation with Russia; 3) this very intelligent Director was also at the right place at the right time very unique, and with an amazing editorial team; 4) social media gold; and 5) who doesn’t like a David vs Goliath story?”
She adds, “I asked Daniel (Director) and Christo (main journalist Belgium guy) if there is a follow up doc about Christo and what he is going through now…they both smiled at each other and said “We don’t know yet, it’s possible”. I think there should be!!”
