The build-up to the Oscars is in full swing and the nominated films are being closely analysed in the press. As always this year controversial stories about the nominated films are being featured in the media with increasingly dramatic stories. Recently, the controversy surrounding nominated film Zero Dark Thirty reached its’ extreme height when journalist Naomi Wolf compared Kathryn Bigelow to Nazi propagandist Leni Riefenstahl. Are these extreme controversial stories less politics and more about the awards?

Clearly for films like Zero Dark Thirty politics is involved, however this controversy also has much to do with the awards. Round Oscar time controversial stories always come out about the nominated films. This year Django Unchained has been criticised as mocking slavery, last year actress Kim Novak took out an advert headlined ‘I want to report a rape’ it being the use of music from a film she starred in being used in The Artist and when A Beautiful Mind was a hot contender it came out that John Nash, the man it is based on, was an anti-semite. Not only are these stories political, but they also have the aim of discouraging the board to vote for these films.

These stories make good headlines and therefore the films at the centre will be surrounded by negative press at the time of voting. This propaganda tactic does not work all the time as The Artist for instance won the award for best picture. However it could be said to have an effect. Recently Oscar board member David Clennon stated that he would not vote for Zero Dark Thirty and called for a boycott amongst other board members against it. He agreed with the stories claiming the film had a pro-torture stance. These controversies are much more than they seem. They not only cause a stir amongst the public, but are used as tactics to try and manipulate the Oscars.

Emily Murray