New York, NY, November 1, 2010 … The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) has issued the following statement in response to the decision by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to present an honorary Oscar to filmmaker Jean-Luc Godard on November 13:

As has been reported, Jean-Luc Godard was sporadically anti-Semitic throughout his career.  While a brilliant filmmaker, he is a flawed individual, and the flaw is his bigotry.

 

Godard’s anti-Semitism does not negate the totality of his work, but it certainly should not qualify him for special recognition.  For this reason, the Academy’s decision to present him with an honorary Oscar is regrettable.

The Anti-Defamation League, founded in 1913, is the world's leading organization fighting anti-Semitism through programs and services that counteract hatred, prejudice and bigotry.