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Its Not A Typical Academy Award Winning Movie in Film Costumes & Festivals Directory

When Steven Spielberg [head of the Dreamworks studio which financed American Beauty] first saw the film, he said: Youve made a classic movie here.My reaction was: Okay, thats it, I can go home now. I dont need to hear anymore thats the best Im gonna get.I havent heard much about the Oscar campaign yet but the talk about winning is very flattering, and brilliant for a movie like this because it doesnt have a major star. So hopefully when it arrives in other countries with Oscar buzz attached there will be considerably more chance that people are going to see it.When I first heard the Oscar talk I thought it was premature. There was another two months worth of movies coming out with Oscar potential. I thought to myself, Who the hell am I to think Ive got a great chance.I still find it hard to believe the film is in the running. Its not a typical Academy Awardwinning movie. Its dark, its weird. It starts with the main character wanking in the shower. Its not a Tom Hanks kind of movie and, of course, there are no costumes.When we were filming there were fights every day about how much time I was taking, and how much money I was spending. I knew I was spending more than I should, but I wouldnt give up because I knew the film would be really good. It seems absurd now the arguments were often over a hundred dollars here or there.

Website: http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/2000/feb/13/awardsandprizes.oscars20002