"Hurt Locker" producer banned from Oscar ceremony

BEIJING, March 3 (Xinhuanet) -- Nicolas Chartier, producer of the movie "The Hurt Locker," is banned to attend the Oscar ceremony for sending emails of urging the Academy members to vote for his movie, according to Associate Press on Wednesday.

Nicolas Chartier (1st R) poses with Director Kathryn Bigelow (2nd R),  winner for best director for her work on "The Hurt Locker", and the  other producers as "The Hurt Locker" also won Best Picture at the 15th  Annual Critics' Choice Movie Awards in Los Angeles, California, January  15, 2010. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)

The Academy announced the decision against Chartier for his violation of the Academy Awards rules that prohibit mailings to promote a movie by disparaging another.

Chartier sent e-mails seeking support for "The Hurt Locker," not for the "500-million-dollar film" -- the 3D blockbuster "Avatar." He later sent an apology.

The Academy said however he will still be awarded an Oscar trophy if his movie wins the best-picture award.

"The Hurt Locker" is one of the 10 nominees along with "Avatar," reported Bloomberg.