I admit, I was elated when Crash won the Best Picture Oscar. Some colleagues and I discussed it, with readings ranging from “most conservative” to “inspiring”. It was interesting to hear one of the recipients thank the Academy for honoring this “movie about tolerance”.
This New York Times article credits the setting (Los Angeles) and the independence of the Academy for Crash’s surprise win. What struck me, is it was the only nominated film about contemporary times. While themes from the other Best Picture candidates resonate today – homophobia, McCarthyesque repression, addiction, terrorism – only Crash located itself in our era. While this may or may not have been a factor in the way votes were cast, it pleases me that current affairs were chosen over historical reenactments.