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PEOPLE & ARTS Tuesday 11 February 2020

Obama-backed documentary on Ohio factory wins Academy Award

By MARK KENNEDY film gives a close-up look at
AP Entertainment Writer how the cultures adjust to
NEW YORK (Associated one another.
Press) — The Oscar for best Tensions rise when the fac-
feature-length documen- tory doesn't initially meet
tary has gone to "American production goals, culmi-
Factory," the first documen- nating in a bitter fight over
tary released by Barack the right to unionize.
and Michelle Obama's pro- Reichert noted that her film
duction company. is about an Ohio plant but
The Netflix film is about an it could be from anywhere
Ohio auto glass factory "people put on a uniform,
that is run by a Chinese in- punch a clock, trying to
vestor. It explores many is- make their families have a
sues, including the rights of better life. Working people
workers, globalization and have it harder and harder
automation. these days. We believe
"American Factory" beat that things will get better
out "Honeyland," "The when workers of the world
Cave," "The Edge of De- This image released by Netflix shows a worker at Fuyao, a glass manufacturer in China, in a scene unite."
mocracy" and "For Sama." from the Oscar-nominated documentary "American Factory." The name of the Obamas'
Steven Bognar and Ju- (Netflix via AP) company, Higher Ground,
lia Reichert, directors of guys," said Reichert. consequences of wrench- lease." The film is about the flashes by in the opening
"American Factory" ac- Barack Obama in a tweet ing economic change. Fuyao plant, bought by credits, but the Obamas
knowledged the work of Sunday congratulated the Glad to see two talented Chinese industrialist Cao themselves aren't men-
their fellow nominees on filmmakers "for telling such and downright good peo- Dewang, which employs tioned anywhere.
Sunday. a complex, moving story ple take home the Oscar some 2,200 American and Neither is President Donald
"We are inspired by you about the very human for Higher Ground's first re- 200 Chinese workers. The Trump. q

Mexican art critic shatters Almost-EGOTs Elton John, Hildur

contemporary piece at art fair Guðnadóttir win music Oscars

By AMY GUTHRIE undefined not, the gallery displaying
MEXICO CITY (Asscoaited the work criticized Lésper's By MESFIN FEKADU Associ-
Press) — An art critic has behavior as unprofessional. ated Press Music Writer
destroyed a contemporary "Lésper coming too close Twenty-five years after
piece at Mexico's premiere to the work to place a soda winning his first Oscar, El-
art fair, setting off a spirited can on it and take a pic- ton John has picked up
debate about what consti- ture as criticism without a his second at the 2020
tutes art. doubt caused the destruc- Academy Awards, where
Critic Avelina Lésper said tion," OMR gallery said in a “Joker” composer Hildur
she accidentally shattered statement via Instagram. Guðnadóttir marked a
the installation Saturday The gallery said the critic's historic night for female
at the Zona Maco art fair behavior showed an "enor- musicians.
in Mexico City when she mous lack of professional- John won his second best
placed an empty soda ism and respect." original song award for
can near it to express her OMR said Rico's work is “(I’m Gonna) Love Me
disdain for the piece: a highly sought by collectors Again” from his biopic
sheet of glass with a stone, and art institutions at the “Rocketman,” sharing the Elton John, left, and Bernie Taupin, winners of the award for
soccer ball and other ran- moment. honor with longtime col- best original song for "(I'm Gonna) Love Me Again" from
dom objects suspended Alfonso Miranda, director laborator Bernie Taupin. "Rocketman", pose in the press room at the Oscars on Sunday,
Feb. 9, 2020, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles.
inside. of the Soumaya art mu- John won an Oscar with (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)
The display was by Mexi- seum in Mexico, described Tim Rice for “Can You Newman, Cynthia Erivo she joins a small group of
can artist Gabriel Rico, who the incident via Twitter as a Feel the Love Tonight” and the husband-wife women to win the prize
contrasts objects made "tragedy." from the original “The Lion duo Kristen Anderson-Lo- for scoring music, includ-
by humans, such as tennis Others took to social media King” at the 1995 Acad- pez and Robert Lopez to ing Marilyn Bergman, Ra-
balls, with objects found to applaud the destruction emy Awards. win the prize. chel Portman and Anne
in nature, such as feathers as a performance piece, “Thank you to Bernie, who John, 72, has won a Tony Dudley, who was the last
and rocks. and to pan the sale of art has been the constant Award and five Grammys, woman to win the honor
"It was like the work heard that consists of used and thing in my life when I was and only needs an Emmy for “The Full Monty” at the
my comment and felt what found objects. screwed up, when I was to join the elite clubs of 1998 show. She received
I thought of it," Lésper said Lésper said she suggested normal — he’s always EGOTs. Guðnadóttir, 37, is a standing ovation for
in a video statement for the gallery leave the piece been there for me,” John in a similar position: In just close to a minute from the
Milenio, a Mexican media shattered, to show its evo- said onstage. six short months, the clas- audience. “To the girls, to
group that publishes her lution. When they rejected “This is just justification for sically trained cellist from the women, to the moth-
columns. "The work shat- that idea, she said she of- 53 years of just hammer- Iceland has become an ers, to the daughters who
tered into pieces and col- fered to repair it. ing out and doing what Emmy, Grammy and Os- hear the music bubbling
lapsed and fell on the floor." The gallery said it would we do,” Taupin said. car winner. She picked within, please speak up,”
Lésper said she was then get in touch with the artist John and Taupin beat up best original score she said. “We need to
told the piece was valued before announcing next out Diane Warren, Randy Sunday for “Joker” and hear your voices.” q
at $20,000. Accident or steps.q