Bart on District 9’s Enthusiastic Response

Kris Tapley points us to this Peter Bart column wherein Bart proclaims D9’s Oscar chances

The obscure import from South Africa registered a $37 million weekend, but here’s the dirty little secret: “District 9” is an absolutely brilliant movie that could easily sneak away with some Oscars.

Some critics missed the boat on this one (including Variety), but at a packed Academy screening over the weekend at the Samuel Goldwyn Theater, the film received the most applause of any movie in a couple of years. That’s usually a signal.

Not necessarily; Academy members are people too. Just because they were entertained and loved the movie doesn’t mean that they’ll consider it as a Best Pic contender. On the other hand, Bart is an Academy member himself and isn’t too far off their general demographic. If it appeals to everyone young and old it won’t be ignored completely. Bart also suggests that the studios are too afraid of having a flop on their hands to take big chances with untested directors, “So the big question: Are there more potential winners out there that the majors are too timorous to touch?”

This Bart piece strikes me two ways. On the one hand, the news that D9 is a formidable, even probable Oscar contender is interesting. On the other hand, is this Variety trying harder to get into the Oscar game in order to get those Oscar ads flowing? Finally, is it unethical of Bart to talk the Oscar talk if he is a member? Does that influence the vote? Either way, it’s a good story. D9 goes on the Tracker because of it. It’s also worth noting that a reader signalled me to D9’s Oscar chances several days before this story broke, saying he believed the director had a great shot at a nod.