Palestine Denied Oscar Nomination

Director Elia Souleiman has been denied an Oscar nomination for his film Divine Intervention

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Science in the United States recently announced that it would not accept Palestine’s entry for the 2002 “Best Foreign Film Award” due to the fact that Palestine is not a “nation” in the technical sense of the term.

The film submission, Divine Intervention, was the first ever Palestinian nominee at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival where it took home the coveted Prix du Jury award. Cannes is often seen as a litmus test for foreign films looking to compete for bigger awards in the United States and Europe. Based on the strong performance at Cannes, Divine Intervention was considered a lock for at least an Oscar nomination; and hopes for a win were not unfounded.

Divine Intervention uses the age old backdrop of romance to highlight the plight of Palestinians as they live stranded and strangled lives in their respective West Bank and Gaza enclaves. The film’s director, Elie Souleimane, stars in the film playing the character of E.S. E.S. is torn between tending his ailing father in Jerusalem and pursuing the love of his life who happens to live in Ramallah.

Because of the severe restrictions on Palestinian travel in the West Bank, E.S. finds himself isolated. To make matters worse, troop incursions, curfews and other destructive Israeli tactics plague his life.

The Oscar snub has started a grassroots backlash. On various college and community email lists, information about the rejection has been circulated and concerned individuals have been encouraged to voice their displeasure directly to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, which can be contacted as follows:

Academy Foundation
8949 Wilshire Blvd.
Beverly Hills, CA 90211
Phone: 310-247-3000
Fax: 310-859-9351
www.oscars.org
Email: ampas@oscars.org