Savage Popcorn

I saw this on BBCi.

Palestinian film Divine Intervention has been ruled ineligible for entry to the Oscars as Palestine is not recognised as a country by the UN. Although other countries not recognised by the UN have had films accepted, these films have been submitted by the relevant national selection committee - which Palestine doesn�t have.

Anything that helps to increase understanding of the Middle East, including a film like Divine Intervention is, in my opinion, a good thing. However, I can also see that the Academy of Motion Pictures is also going to want to stick to their submission rules - otherwise they leave themselves wide open to accusations of favouritism from anyone and everyone with an axe to grind.

So, for this film to become Oscar material, movement is required in two places. First of all, a Palestinian selection committee needs to be formed in order to officially submit the film. The film would also need to be released locally - even if this means being shown in one cinema for one night.

Once this is done, it is up to the Academy to accept the film - treating it in the same way that they would treat a film from Taiwan or Hong Kong.

I would really like to see this happen because anything that adds to our understanding of life in troubled parts of the world can only be a good thing.

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