Hansard Comments on Oscar Confusion

Posted on 31st Jan 08 by Contributor | 0

Artist: Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova
Author: Jason Golden

Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglovas song "Falling Slowly" from the independent Irish film "Once" has been reconfirmed as an Oscar nominated composition "Best Original Song" following certain questions over its eligibility.

Glen Hansard has commented:

"Were really happy that the Academy have come back with this decision and were really excited about going forward from here."

The full Academy statement reads as follows:

The Academys Music Branch Executive Committee has met and endorsed the validity of "Falling Slowly" as a nominated achievement. The committee relied on written assurances and detailed chronologies provided by the songwriters of "Falling Slowly"" the writer/director of ONCE and Fox Searchlight.

The genesis of the picture was unusually protracted" but director John Carney and songwriter Glen Hansard were working closely together in 2002 when the project that became ONCE was first discussed.
"Falling Slowly" began to be composed" but the actual script and financing for the picture were delayed for several years" during which time Mr. Hansard and his collaborator Marketa Irglova played the songs in some European venues. Such previous uses were deemed local enough and minor enough to be inconsequential to the songs eligibility.