Why "Crash" Won

I just posted this on Steven Johnson's blog (www.stevenberlinjohnson.com - Steve, you rule). I publish it here for posterity:

"What’s even more amazing about Crash is its demonstration of the complex social network within the Hollywood community. I didn’t think Crash was the best film of the year. It was barely released across the country and didn’t have nearly the culturally impact that Brokeback Mountain enjoys.

What it did have was a huge roster of major Hollywood players ready to be lobbyists for the political race known as the Oscars. If you know Brendan Frasier or Sandra Bullock, you’ll probably vote for Crash for best whatever-the-category-is. What’s more, Lion’s Gate Films sent a DVD copy of the movie to every member of the SAG (Screen Actors Guild) to get the film to the “voters”.

This all makes perfect economic sense. Without having to pay for a huge distribution across the nation or a large marketing campaign, the film now gets FREE promotion as Best Film of the Year, getting more people to buy the DVD and talk about it amongst co-workers/friends, and expose them to the film’s complex threads (the Sleeper Curve getting steeper).

Of course, this is just my opinion, and I’d have to research other films that help prove this thesis. But that’s a different blog…"