MarlaLewinGFV

   based on a Getty Images photo

by Marla Lewin

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced today that Nicolas Chartier, has been denied attendance at the 82nd Academy Awards® as a penalty for violating Academy campaigning standards. If “The Hurt Locker” becomes the latest recipient of the Best Picture award at Sunday’s ceremonies, only three of the picture’s producers will be present for the celebration. The fourth of the film’s credited producers credentials have been revoked. The Academy stopped short of recommending that the Academy governors rescind Chartier’s nomination. They had only recently made a ruling to allow four producers for the film rather than three. If “The Hurt Locker” is selected as Best Picture, Chartier would still be allowed receive his Oscar® statuette but at some point in the future after the ceremonies. 

Chartier was found guilty of violating  Academy rules by disseminated an email to certain Academy voters and other film industry figures in which he solicited votes for his own picture and disparaged one of the other contending films. Academy rules prohibit “casting a negative or derogatory light on a competing film.” The executive committee of the Academy’s Producers Branch, at a special session late Monday, ruled that the ethical lapse merited the revocation of Chartier’s invitation to the Awards.