[March 24, 2003]

With the war in Iraq as a backdrop, the Academy Awards turned explosive seconds after Michael Moore took the stage at Hollywood's Kodak Theatre.

The newly anointed Oscar winner for his anti-gun "Bowling for Columbine" documentary stood before the category's other nominees and launched an attack on President Bush.

"We are against this war, Mr. Bush. Shame on you," he said to a chorus of boos—and applause—from the audience.

The other nominees were on stage, he said, because they stood in solidarity with him and were non-fiction fans. "We live in fictitious times," Moore said. "We live in a time with fictitious election results that elect fictitious presidents. We live in a time when we have a man sending us to war for fictitious reasons." The verbal grenade landed on a night when the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences was trying to show a respectful wartime attitude. Gone were red-carpet moments when fans cheer their favorite gussied-up movie stars.

Still, there was no rationing of wartime sentiment. Dustin Hoffman, Nicole Kidman, Barbra Streisand and several others chimed in with their feelings about the war and/or tense times that have gripped the globe since Sept. 11, 2001. Michael Douglas even called the show "a deliverance from anxiety" just before he and his father, Kirk Douglas, announced the best picture winner.

Adrien Brody, Best Actor winner for "The Pianist," said his award left him with mixed emotions. "It fills me with great joy, but I'm also filled with a lot of sadness tonight because I'm accepting an award at such a strange time," said Brody, who mentioned that he has a friend serving in Kuwait. "Whatever you believe in, if it's God or Allah, may he watch over you and let's pray for a peaceful and swift resolution."

References to the war started early in the show. Host Steve Martin turned in a couple of wisecracks during his opening monologue. "I'm glad they cut back on all the glitz," he said. "There was no fancy red carpet tonight; that'll send 'em a message."

Shortly later he added, "Everybody has been so supportive of my hosting this year except, of course, France and Germany." Those countries were among the most vocal against U.S. military action against Iraq. The night's first political statement from an Oscar winner was offered by Chris Cooper, during his acceptance speech for Best Supporting Actor in the black comedy-drama "Adaptation."

"In light of all the troubles in this world, I wish us all peace," he said.

Backstage, he added that everything he planned to say during the televised ceremony was left onstage. "Watching the television today, this situation is constantly changing. As it goes on, I think minds will be changed one way or the other. I really did say all that I wanted to say up there."

Just like he did in the auditorium, Moore also created a stir backstage, where he defended his acceptance speech. "I'm an American," he said. "I'm an American, and you don't leave your citizenship at the doors of the Kodak Theatre. What's great about this country is you're able to speak your mind."

In a response to a question, Moore said he didn't believe he hijacked a night that otherwise belonged to "Chicago," the first musical to win Best Picture since 1968's "Oliver!"

"I showed how vital it is to have free speech in our country and all Americans have the right to stand up for what they believe in," he said. Sunday night wasn't the first time the Oscars were used as a political forum. In 1973, there was a bemused silence when Marlon Brando, the Best Actor winner for "The Godfather," was represented on the podium by Sasheen Littlefeather, who read a speech denouncing the treatment of American Indians. Five years later at the 50th anniversary ceremony, a pro-Palestinian Vanessa Redgrave drew boos from the audience when she won the best supporting actress trophy for "Julia" and again when she referred to "Zionist hoodlums" in the Middle East during her acceptance speech.

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