'Lockergate' producer apologises for e-mails
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is considering action against a producer of 'The Hurt Locker' who sent multiple e-mails urging academy members to vote for his movie in the Oscar best-picture race and “not a 500 million dollar film” – an obvious reference to close-competitor Avatar.
The e-mails by Nicolas Chartier, one of four nominated producers for 'The Hurt Locker', violated the academy’s rule against sending mailings that “attempt to promote any film or achievement by casting a negative light on a competing film or achievement”, according to Academy spokeswoman Leslie Unger. Chartier put up the financing to make the front-running film.
