February 16, 2011
By Staff Reporter
The film, shot documentary-style, chronicles the events of the Bloody Sunday massacre in Derry 30 years ago. The film features a powerful performance by Jimmy Nesbitt as civil rights leader Ivan Cooper, as well as many survivors of atrocity. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences says that the film is ineligible for consideration because it was shown on television in Ireland and the UK within six months of its theatrical release.
Producer Mark Redhead is lobbying hard for the Oscar organizers to make an exception for the film.
“It would be an incredible injustice if the film is barred,” he said. “It would also be odd for one of the best-reviewed films of the year not to be included and have the possibility to be nominated.”
The Academy has declined to comment on the controversy.