‘Selma’ gets snubbed by Oscar, but not the Obamas

“Selma” might have gotten a cold shoulder from Oscar — it earned a “best picture” nomination, but director Ava DuVernay notably was frozen out of the “best director” category, and its actors didn’t get nods — but it’s getting a warm welcome elsewhere. Specifically, from the White House, which is hosting a Friday screening of the film, set during Alabama’s famed civil rights protests.

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The intimate late-afternoon gathering (one source said it would be “a very small group”) will include members of the cast and crew, including Common (whose song “Glory,” written with John Legend, received an Oscar nomination for best original song), and Washington notables like Rep. Terri Sewell (D-Ala.). We’re on high alert for an Oprah sighting (she was a “Selma” producer).

President Obama, who is something of a film buff, often hosts such movie nights. Previous screenings have included “Monuments Men,” “Cesar Chavez,” and “Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom.”

Sounds like it’s time to pop the popcorn.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/posttv/entertainment/trailer-selma/2014/11/07/57945b56-66bb-11e4-ab86-46000e1d0035_video.html

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