On Wednesday, final ballots were mailed to Academy members. Will any of the critics/specialty awards affect voting? It’s not that easy to predict.
Slumdog Millionaire got a boost when it won top prize from the Director’s Guild. It also recently secured honors from the Producers Guild. But will accusations of unfair wages hurt it’s chances?
Charges were lobbied against the film’s producers that some of the child actors were not paid a decent wage. Previously Citizen Kane was harmed by bad press from William Randollph Hearst. Bonnie & Clyde and A Clockwork Orange may have been similarly affected.
AMC film historian Tim Dirks says that Slumdog’s independent status may save it. “Since Slumdog Millionaire is a low-budget independent film…it will probably hold its underdog edge and not lose votes from Academy members,” he said.
Wall-E may not have a lock on the Best Animated Picture category. Kung Fu Panda, one of its competitors, swept the Annie Awards. Panda took 10 trophies in tota.
Finally, if Heath Ledger should win at the Oscars (heh, IF, I so wanted to type WHEN because he’s pretty much a lock), his family will accept it. Dark knight director Christopher Nolan made this announcement at the DG awards. This would probably mean his father, mother and older sister.
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