Lee and Washinton dismiss awards

Malcolm X director Spike Lee and actor Denzel Washington are still bitter their efforts were not recognised at the 1992 Academy Awards.

Washington received a nomination for his portrayal of the black nationalist leader but was beaten by Al Pacino for his role in Scent of a Woman.

Lee was excluded from the nominations altogether. But the pair claim the event proved trophies cannot validate the quality of their work.

In an interview discussion, Washington asks Lee: "How important is receiving awards?"

Lee says: "Y'know, I hate to bring up Malcolm X again but… That was a big lesson for me. That you really can't give power to a group of people, the Academy and the Grammy, whoever it is, to validate your work. You can't do that.

"And also - which I tell a lot of my students - you can't go into a project with the goal to win an award."

Washington responds: "Yeah, forget that. I've never done that. I don't care about that, really I don't.

"Maybe it meant more to me earlier in my career but… y'know, it's like my mother said: 'Man gives the award, God gives the reward.' That's my motto.

"Oscar is like 15 pounds and I don't care if I get one."