Courage Celebrated & Demonstrated at the Academy Awards

Here are previews of three of my favorite Oscar-winning films that inspire us to be courageous.  After the titles are the years of release, the categories of the Oscars these productions won, and the winners' names, which link to video of their acceptances.

ERIN BROCKOVICH (2000)

Actress in a Leading Role: Julia Roberts

AN INCONVENIENT TRUTH (2006)

Documentary Feature: director Davis Guggenheim
Original Song: Melissa Etheridge

MILK (2008)

Actor in a Leading Role: Sean Penn
Original Screenplay: Dustin Lance Black

 

The following are brave statements delivered at Academy Award ceremonies.  These remarks drew reactions that indicate Hollywood is not as liberal as it is often said to be.  Again, years cited are of release.

Declining the award for Actor in a Leading Role for Marlon Brando's

performance in THE GODFATHER (1972), Sacheen Littlefeather refers to

a deadly confrontation between American Indians and the US government.

Accepting the award for Actress in a Supporting Role for her performance

in JULIA (1977), Vanessa Redgrave refers to death threats from people who

sought the termination of her career because of her defense of the Palestinians.

Accepting the award for Documentary Feature for BOWLING FOR

COLUMBINE (2002), director Michael Moore refers to the invasion of Iraq

and to tactics the Bush-Cheney administration employed to scare the public.