DCM Opens The People vs. Larry Flynt at AFI

Deputy Chief of Mission Jaroslav Zajíček opened Forman’s Oscar-nominated film The People vs. Larry Flynt at the AFI Silver Theater on September 23, at 11 am, as part of the US-wide retrospective A Tribute to Miloš Forman. The film follows the life of controversial magazine publisher Larry Flynt from his impoverished upbringing to his Supreme Court case Hustler Magazine v. Falwall. The Supreme Court ruling was a very important decision in regards to freedom of expression. Zajíček quoted Forman stating: I know from my personal experience that freedom of the press is the cornerstone of democracy... Under censorship, anyone who does not agree with the official standpoint could be an enemy of the state...this power corrupts." The film received over a dozen prestigious awards, including Golden Globe for Best Director (Milos Forman) and Best Screenplay (Scott Alexander and Larry Karaszewski) and was nominated for an Oscar for Best Director (Miloš Forman) as well as Best Actor in a Leading Role (Woody Harrelson).