Crash ahead

Both "Brokeback Mountain" and "Crash" have themes that are of current interest to the CR. "Brokeback Mountain," because the law on same-sex partnerships faces an override vote in Parliament tomorrow. "Crash," because racial intolerance will become an increasingly difficult topic as the CR fulfils its goal of welcoming 1m foreigners into its largely homogeneous environment over the next four decades. "Brokeback" might have lost the Oscar earlier this morning in part because its theme was explored better 35 years ago by John Voight and Dustin Hoffman in "Midnight Cowboy." It's nevertheless surprising that "Crash" won. Its ultimate message, despite some patches of optimism, is that different races can't live peacefully side-by-side. The Oscar for "Crash" will help raise a discussion about whether this is true only in this one Hollywood film, or in the real world as well. [Czech Republic Academy Awards discrimination race relations homosexuality]