AFI: "Passion," "9/11" Significant

Tue., Dec. 21, 2004 12:00 PM PST by Sarah Hall

The American Film Institute, known for its prolific list-making tendencies, has come up with its picks for 2004's nine "Moments of Significance."

The noteworthy events, chosen for their impact on the entertainment world, ranged from the death of Marlon Brando at age 80 to the series finales of Friends, Frasier and Sex and the City.

Other picks included the cultural debates sparked by Mel Gibson's The Passion of the Christ and Michael Moore's Fahrenheit 9/11 and The Daily Show with Jon Stewart's influence on the younger segment of the news-viewing public.

Also judged significant: the changing face of network news, as 2004 saw the final regular broadcasts of Tom Brokaw, Bill Moyers and Barbara Walters; the retirement of 60 Minutes creator Don Hewitt; and Dan Rather's announcement that he will step down in 2005.

The same two 13-person juries that compiled the previously released lists of the year's 10 AFI Movies of the Year and 10 AFI Television Programs of the Year were charged with coming up with 2004's most significant moments.

As is the AFI's customary practice, the moments were not ranked in any particular order, but were lumped together in one significant mass.

Per the AFI, criteria for the Moments of Significance ranged from accomplishments of considerable merit; influences with either a positive or negative impression; new or reemerging trends; anniversaries or memorials of special note; and movements in new technologies, education, preservation, government or other areas that impact the art of the moving image.

The Institute is set to honor the creative ensembles behind each Moment at a Los Angeles luncheon on Jan. 14.

Here's a complete rundown of the AFI's nine Moments of Significance for 2004:

Movies Inspire National Debate: Mel Gibson and Michael Moore remind the nation of the power of film with their respective personal crusades The Passion of the Christ and Fahrenheit 9/11.

Tarnation and Film's Affordable Tools: The Cannes Film Festival enthusiastically accepts indie director Jonathan Caocette's documentary Tarnation, a self-portrait about growing up with a mentally ill mother, which was made for only $218.

Changing Landscape of Television News: 2004 marks the final regular broadcasts of Tom Brokaw, Barbara Walters and Bill Moyers; the retirement of 60 Minutes creator Don Hewitt; and Dan Rather's announcement that he will step down in 2005.

Final Domino Falls in Vertical Integration of Film and Television: NBC and Universal merge to become NBC Universal.

The Daily Show with Jon Stewart: Jon Stewart and the Daily Show extend their impact on the national conversation beyond television during 2004's Presidential Election.

Comedy Redefined--For the Moment: Frasier, Friends and Sex and the City all aired their final episodes in 2004, after a combined 27 seasons of comedy.

TV Thinks Outside the Box: Television content is packaged for distribution on multiple platforms; for example, the Jack and Bobby pilot aired on the Internet before its broadcast premiere.

Federal Communications Commission as Cultural Force: After Janet Jackson's infamous nipple slip at the Super Bowl, the FCC fines 20 stations the maximum penalty for indecency. Networks begin to self-censor their programming as a result.

Marlon Brando, 1924-2004: Marlon Brando passed away July 1 at the age of 80. The legendary thesp is credited with showing the world the power of Method acting.