In an unprecedented move the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has banned Nicolas Chartier, the producer of The Hurt Locker, from attending the ceremony on Sunday.  This is a lucky turn for the film itself as there was talk of it being removed from consideration.

This reprieve was no doubt brought on by the pleas sent out by Chartier in the form of an apology letter.  In it he sites "naivete" and "ignorance of the rules" as playing a part in his actions.