'Brokeback' scribe blasts Academy

Annie Proulx aims some venomous words at the Oscar voters for their decision to crown 'Crash' best picture.

Mar 15 2006

Annie Proulx, who wrote the novella on which 'Brokeback Mountain' was based, has laid into this year's Academy Awards.

In a Guardian piece, the writer reveals her disappointment at missing out on the Best Picture Award to 'Crash' (or 'Trash' as she calls it), stating that the winning choice 'was a hit with the home teams since the film is set in Los Angeles… a safe pick of 'controversial film' for the heffalumps.'

Elsewhere, she makes reference to the Independent Spirit Awards by saying, 'If you are looking for smart judging based on merit, skip the Academy Awards next year and pay attention to the Independent Spirit choices.'

She also criticises this year's ceremony for having a 'provincial flavour' and being 'reminiscent of a small-town talent-show night'.

Proulx finishes her tirade by saying 'For those who call this little piece a Sour Grapes Rant, play it as it lay'. Well here at the TOMB we play it thus, and there's definitely more than a whiff of the smelly seedless about her words.

To read the full piece, click here.

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