China cuts Steven Spielberg's appearance at Academy Awards

New York, Feb 27 (ANI): It seems film director Steven Spielberg's refusal to act as artistic adviser during the Beijing Olympic Games has not been forgotten by the Chinese, for censors in the country cut his appearance at the Academy Awards.

It happened when the Oscars ceremony was re-aired in the Far East 12 hours later, and Spielberg announced the nominees for Best Picture and the winner, 'Slumdog Millionaire', reports the New York Post.

Chinese viewers saw their screens suddenly cut to the beaming 'Slumdog' crew without any build-up, and insiders say that it was done as a revenge for his refusal to help at the Olympics.

Spielberg had refused to take part because China buys oil from the Sudanese Government, whom he considered responsible for the genocide in Darfur.

More than 200,000 have been killed and 2.5 million made homeless in the conflict between Arab Janjaweed forces, supported by the government, and Christian villagers in the country's south. ANI)