I'm really mad - and I'm not going to take it anymore!
I'm really mad - and I'm not going to take it anymore!

I love movies, television and live theater just as much as many of you — and I am tired of being asked to choose.

By the time you read this, the Academy Awards will have just announced its nominations for the 2019 event.

But, the real news is.....is the public turned off to it and why?

Many of you know the line above from the movie Network, written by the brilliant Paddy Chayefsky, a proud Jew.  

Sidney "Paddy" Chayefsky was the only American playwright  to have won three solo Academy Awards for Best Screenplay.  His words were so good, actors Ernest Borgnine, Peter Finch, Faye Dunaway and Beatrice Straight won Oscars portraying characters he created.  

But, perhaps Chayefsky’s greatest lines were those that were probably “off the cuff” as he was preparing to present an award at the 1977 Oscars.

Chayefsky did something that is taboo today, yet his action is  more timely than ever.  

He gave the Academy Awards one of its most memorable moments and a lesson, which unfortunately IT ignored. 

Vanessa Redgrave had just won the Best Supporters Actress award for her performance in Julia.  During her acceptance speech, she called us “Zionist Hoodlums.”  Chayefsky, the son of Russian-Jewish immigrants, was presenting an award and could not allow her acceptance speech to go unnoticed.

“Before I get to the writing award there’s a little matter I’d like to tidy up, at least if I expect to live with myself tomorrow morning. I would like to say — personal opinion, of course — that I am sick and tired of people exploiting the occasion of the Academy Awards for the propagation of their own personal political propaganda.  I would like to suggest to Ms. Redgrave that her winning an Academy Award is not a pivotal moment in history, it does not require a proclamation, and a simple ‘thank you’ would’ve sufficed.”

2019

2019 marks the eightieth anniversary of the greatest year in film history and over forty years since that sound advice.  

Did Hollywood learn its lesson? No!!!  Hollywood is producing films that are poorly received both critically and at the box office.  Special effects and higher ticket prices take precedence over quality and historical accuracy.

Vice and Bohemian Rhapsody (I saw both) are going to be nominated for Oscars.  Both are criticized for telling realistic stories while changing the facts.  This is dangerous!!!  

Green Book is a decent film, no-Gone With the Wind, The Wizard of Oz, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, Goodbye Mr. Chips, Wuthering Heights, Of Mice and Men, Stagecoach, Love Affair, Dark Victory and Ninotchka — all 1939 classics that film aficionados like myself study and rewatch over and over again.

Green Book is supposed to be a true story about the relationship between a white and black man during the 1960s traveling in southern states in America. However, a controversy began bubbling after the Shirley family claimed that the movie’s portrayal was a “symphony of lies.”

It’s star, Viggo Mortensen, has been outspoken for over a decade criticizing Israel:

https://www.israellycool.com/2018/06/29/celebrities-back-right-to-boycott-israel-and-be-antisemitic/amp/

More criticism surfaced as , Mortenson used the N-word during a press event and Green Book writer (and Vallelonga’s real-life son) Nick Vallelonga recently apologized for resurfaced anti-Muslim tweets.

This, in a movie co-starring a Muslim, Mahershala Ali, who will probably pick up his second Oscar for his role as Vallelonga’s friend.

Getting Confused? Turned Off?

It only gets better with Spike Lee’s Blac KkKlansman.  Lee has been questioned for decades about his anti-Semitism.  In the movie, he partners  Jewish and Black policemen during the 1960s.  While it’s reminiscent of actual historical events during the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s, again, the facts were distorted:

https://m.jpost.com/Israel-News/Spike-Lees-BlacKkKlansman-is-a-cautionary-tale-for-21st-century-Jews-564858/amp

Worse, it ends with a message against President Donald J. Trump.  

The only thing more disturbing will be if Roma wins any awards, and it probably will, and we get more speeches about Trump versus Mexico and the words “legal immigrants are welcomed to the United States” are omitted in any speeches.

What Are We, The Public Who Wants Quality Entertainment Supposed To Do?

For those of you who never view movies for religious reasons, read newspapers about the anti-Israel, anti-Semitism and false history going on in Hollywood.  

For those like myself, here are some thoughts:

Write to all media outlets your concerns.  

Do not boycott.  Knowledge is power.  Know your enemies and what you are fighting.

How about making a consorted effort to garner attention to Israeli films and worldwide filmmakers who tell stories of interest to us, especially to film festivals, Academy voters and media.

Watch movies for free— why spend upwards of $15.00 a ticket when libraries, schools and other places show them at a discounted rate and for free.

Research film makers, actors and their history concerning remarks against Jews and Israel.  I can not begin to tell you how many people had no idea that Viggo Mortenson was a staunch supporter for Palestinians and BDS.

Let movie theaters know that you won’t support them if they show films starring actors, or feature directors, screenwriters and producers that hate Jews and Israel.

Finally....

If you are in New York, go see Network on Broadway.  It’s just as timely today as it was over 40 years ago.

 

Cindy Grosz can be reached at [email protected]