It was the first Iraq war movie to really break through, and now “The Hurt Locker” has won six Academy Awards, including best picture and best director, marking the first time an Oscar for directing has gone to a woman. The movie opens with a quote from Truthdig columnist Chris Hedges.

“The rush of battle is often a potent and lethal addiction, for war is a drug.” Hedges wrote that line in his book “War Is a Force That Gives Us Meaning.”

The film is surprisingly apolitical, given its subject matter. It was written and co-produced by Mark Boal, a journalist who won an Oscar for his screenplay.

The winning director, Kathryn Bigelow, was only the fourth woman ever nominated in that category. She beat out, among others, Lee Daniels, who would have been the first African-American to take home the best-director statuette. — PZS

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This summer, we embark on our inaugural Truthdig Trek — an Appalachian backpacking trip and book lecture tour with publisher Zuade Kaufman and celebrated author and Truthdig columnist Chris Hedges, with hiking led by Thomas Hedges. This one-of-a-kind expedition will offer some of the best mountain scenery on the East Coast, and will include discussions of Chris Hedges’ best-selling work, War Is a Force that Gives Us Meaning. We invite you to make this unique journey with us! Click here for complete details. If you are interested, please let us know immediately — space is very limited.

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