A scene from the movie 'March of the Penguins'. - CONTRIBUTED
NEW YORK (AP):
THE FILM documentary March of the Penguins and video iPods are among the American Film Institute's 'Moments of Significance' during 2005.
The six noteworthy events, decided by AFI's 13-person jury process, were determined to have had an impact - either positive or negative - on the world of the moving image.
Among the important changes in movies this year, AFI said this week, were films reacting to the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks in the United States and the new realities created in its wake.
Aside from films such as Good Night, Good Luck and War of the Worlds, AFI cited March of the Penguins and its emperor penguins for "its universal message - the need to be part of a community that cares for each other."
Deemed noteworthy was the sagging popularity of the movie going experience, as DVDs and video games helped keep box office numbers down.
The continuing consolidation of Hollywood studios was also listed by AFI, as 2005 was a year in which both DreamWorks and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer were bought by larger corporations (Paramount and Sony Pictures, respectively).
TV's migration to different platforms, such as video iPods and cellphones, was said to be a breakthrough, as was America Online's Internet coverage of the global Live 8 benefit concerts.
The television reporting of Hurricane Katrina was also credited for putting "a spotlight on the contradictions between what officials were reporting and the images viewers were seeing in their living rooms."
