This week, people around the world are celebrating the fall of the Berlin Wall.
If only other symbols of injustice and oppression could be torn down like that. Consider this week’s second most significant anniversary: It’s been 15 years since the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Science’s famous snubbing of Steve James’ documentary Hoop Dreams. When that movie’s title was not listed among the Oscar nominees for Best Documentary, all creation groaned. And yet, what could be done? Who could fathom the mysterious methods of the Academy? Had they actually seen the film? What could have resulted in such an epic fail?
Now we know. Steve Pond tells the story of Hoop Dreams‘ rejection.