Gore Film Garners Praise and Backlash

Jan. 25, 2007 — -- The presidency may have eluded former Vice President Al Gore, but Gore and his work on climate change remain very much in the news, garnering both awards and controversy.

This week Gore seems a favorite to have a hand in an Oscar. Tuesday the documentary Gore inspired and narrated, "An Inconvenient Truth," was nominated for two Academy Awards -- best documentary feature and best song. The film is the third-highest grossing documentary in American history, behind "Fahrenheit 9/11" and "March of the Penguins."

"I am thrilled for our director Davis Guggenheim, producers Laurie David, Lawrence Bender, Scott Burns and co-producer Lesley Chilcott," Gore said in a statement. "The film they created has brought awareness of the climate crisis to people in the United States and all over the world."

Producer Laurie David said she was excited about the notion that the nomination would mean "thousands more people are going to see this movie now. And -- a girl can dream -- maybe the current administration will say, 'Well, what's all the fuss about?' Lets see this thing!'"

David says she fantastizes that first lady Laura Bush will now say, "'Hey, George, it's been nominated for an Academy Award. Let's sit down and watch it.'"

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Gore plans to walk the red carpet and attend the Feb. 25 awards ceremony. "He will be coming onstage with us if we win," David insists. "If we win, it will be because of his dedication, his 30 years of research and work on behalf of this issue. That man needs to be standing at that podium, and I'll be very, very proud to be standing behind him, along with the other producers and the director."

Gore said in a statement, "This film proves that movies really can make a difference." But at Lakota Junior High School, outside Tacoma, Wash., one parent has worked hard to make sure that Gore's film doesn't make a difference with students. His outrage over the film being shown even resulted in a moratorium on the film being shown to students in the Federal Way school district.