Movies

Iannucci: 'In The Loop Oscar nom is thrilling'

Published Wednesday, Feb 3 2010, 09:32 GMT | By Simon Reynolds
Iannucci: 'In The Loop Oscar nom is thrilling'

Rex Features

Armando Iannucci has admitted that In The Loop's surprise Oscar nomination for best adapted screenplay is "thrilling".

Iannucci, who scored a writing nod with Jesse Armstrong, Simon Blackwell and Tony Roche, told Movieline that the recognition "still hasn't quite sunk in yet".

"I haven't had time to pause for breath," he said. "Since the moment I got the news, it's just been constant phone calls and interviews and press stuff like that. Obviously it must be real... It's thrilling, and it's great that the film got the recognition, because it's just a little film that we always had high hopes for."

Asked about the political satire's status as the most profane script ever to pick up an Academy Award, the director responded: "Do you reckon? How did Goodfellas do? I remember that and Pulp Fiction."

He continued: "It's funny how swearing and violence is considered defensible. If somebody attacks you physically, you're allowed to swear. But swearing in a comedy is seen as a slightly disturbing, unsettling thing."

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