'Spotlight,' Surprise Best Picture, Is a Sex Abuse Message for Pope

By Clyde Hughes
Newsmax
February 29, 2016

http://www.newsmax.com/TheWire/spotlight-best-picture-sex-abuse-message/2016/02/29/id/716569/

Producer Michael Sugar accepts the Oscar for Best Picture for his film "Spotlight." Photo by Mario Anzuoni

"Spotlight," the surprise Best Picture winner at Sunday night's Oscars, sent a message to Pope Francis: "it's time to protect the children."

The movie details the Boston Globe's investigation into a sex abuse scandal at a local archdiocese, noted E! News, and producer Michael Sugar took advantage of his time on stage at the Academy Awards to blister the church on its sex abuse scandals. 

"This film gave a voice to survivors, and this Oscar amplifies that voice, which we hope will become a choir that will resonate all the way to the Vatican," Sugar said in his acceptance speech, "Pope Francis, it's time to protect the children and restore the faith." Sugar continued on backstage, according to Entertainment Weekly, saying he hopes the movie will lead to reforms in the Catholic Church.

"I hope that you journalists in here and throughout the world will help resonate our message all the way to the Vatican, and maybe we can have some real change," said Sugar. "That’s what we hope to accomplish. That's what this is really about — for all of us is to talk about this film and what happened and because these things are still happening. The story of 'Spotlight' has really just begun."The movie, starrinf Michael Keaton, Mark Ruffalo and Rachel McAdams, has made more than $31.1 million at theaters domestically and another $22.6 million overseas since its release on Nov. 6, according to Box Office Mojo. Keaton also starred in last year's best picture winner, "Birdman." Another "Spotlight" producer, Blye Pagon Faust, said the movie highlighted the continued importance of the journalism industry, said E! News.

"We would not be here today without the heroic efforts of our reporters," said Faust. "Not only did they affect global change, but they absolutely show us the necessity for investigative journalism."