Media Room
NationalWritten Word Earns Literacy-themed Film an Academy Award Precious, the movie about an overweight, sexually abused, and illiterate teenager who changes her life when she learns to read was nominated for five Academy Awards. When all was said and done after the March 7 awards, Precious took home two Oscars—one for best supporting actress Mo'Nique, the other for its script. David Harvey, president and CEO of ProLiteracy, the world's largest organization of adult literacy and basic education programs, says it is apropos that a movie about the power of reading should win an Academy Award for the writer who adapted the novel "Push" for the screen. "It's truly fitting that a film about the importance of learning to read receives an honor for the way a novel was adapted for the screen," Harvey said. "It's another example of the power of the written word and the importance of being able to access written words." Sapphire, the author of the novel on which the film is based, has said in interviews that Precious was trapped by her illiteracy. Literacy practitioners and ProLiteracy praised the film for showing how learning to read can be a key factor in helping an individual change his or her life. Harvey hopes the two Academy Awards will encourage more people to see the film and help spread the word about the importance of literacy. "Two Oscars—precious; focus on literacy—priceless," Harvey noted.
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