LOS ANGELES (AP) -March 26, 2008
Bob Yari was one of six credited producers for "Crash," an
ensemble film released in 2005 that explored racism in Los Angeles
through intersecting stories.
He sued after the Producers Guild of America and the Academy of
Motion Picture Arts and Sciences named only two people as producers
for purposes of Oscar credit. He claimed the snub damaged his
reputation.
"Crash" went on to win three Academy Awards, including best
picture. The movie's co-writer and director, Paul Haggis, and
producer Cathy Schulman accepted the statuettes at the ceremony.
On Tuesday, the 2nd District Court of Appeals agreed with a
lower court's ruling in 2006 that the "right of fair procedure"
that Yari's attorneys invoked did not apply in this case. Private
organizations can make their own decisions when it comes to their
awards, the justices said.
Academy executive director Bruce Davis said he wasn't surprised
by the ruling, "but it is nice to be assured that the courts don't
want to be in the business of deciding who wins an Academy Award."
Yari, who continues to work as a producer, called the ruling
"unfortunate."
He is part of the team making an original television series for
cable company Starz Entertainment LLC based on "Crash."
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