“The Ban” is Over, Sort Of

The MPAA has finally caved to the tidal wave of criticism and contempt over their “screener” ban, but not everyone is happy:

Hollywood’s major film studios on Thursday lifted their controversial ban on sending out videotapes of movies vying for Oscars, but the plan met new criticism from groups who feel cheated in the annual race for the U.S. film industry’s top awards.

The ban, instituted by the studio-backed Motion Picture Association of America more than three weeks ago, stemmed from concern the tapes would be illegally copied, or pirated, and sold on the black market or distributed free on the Internet.

Under a compromise, the MPAA will send specially encoded tapes to Oscar voters but not to members of other groups that also give out film awards, thus sparking fresh opposition.

….Still, many indie players cried foul. Jean Oppenheimer, president of the Los Angeles Film Critics Association said her group stood by a decision to forego its awards due to the ban.

“This is not a rescinding of the ban, so we are sticking with our decision, with great reluctance,” Oppenheimer said.

….Lorenzo Soria, president of the 90-member Hollywood Foreign Press Association. said in a statement he viewed the MPAA’s move “with dismay and concern.”

“We are evaluating our options to have a decision reversed that we regard as unfair, completely arbitrary and an assault on the professional integrity of our members,” he said. [Reuters]

The critics are mad, the indie producers are still mad becuase they need the critics to get the ball rolling for them leading up to the Oscars, and Jack Valenti is going out looking like the narrow-minded imperious ancient pud that he is – only fitting.