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Feb 12, 2006 11:52 pm US/Central
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'Prairie Home' Takes Bow In Berlin
Berlin, Germany (AP) ―
Director Robert Altman said Sunday his big screen adaptation of Garrison Keillor's U.S. public radio show "A Prairie Home Companion" wasn't intentionally political, but "reflects the truth of what's going on in ourselves."
Speaking to reporters following a screening of the movie at the Berlin International Film Festival, where it is competing for the event's top Golden Bear prize, Altman said the film was in keeping with Keillor's tradition of weaving politics into his show, but not overtly so.
"I don't think that you can make a piece of art -- or a song, or poem -- all of these reflect the kinds of feelings that rub off on us; reflect the truth of what is going on in ourselves."
"Every film is political," Altman said. "It doesn't have to be about politics."
The film, a fictionalized account of the last broadcast of the 30-year-old radio show, tells the story of what happens when Keillor finds out he's been taken over by a big conglomerate.
Meryl Streep, Woody Harrelson and Kevin Kline, star alongside Keillor in the film, which was shot on location in Fitzgeral Theater in St. Paul, Minn. where the radio show is based.
Asked how he felt about being nominated for an Oscar recognizing his life's work, Altman said it was more important to him that receiving an award for an individual film.
"I'm very, very happy, very proud about that. I can't think of a better award," Altman said. "To me, it is better to be recognized for all my work than just for a couple of things."
Altman got best-director nominations for "M-A-S-H," "Nashville," "The Player," "Short Cuts" and "Gosford Park," but has never won an award.
While Streep said she had long listened to "A Prairie Home Companion," which has been on public radio for more than 30 years, with a brief interruption, Altman said he only heard it "on the edges" while his wife was listening.
"There is something about the world Keillor creates that locates a place in our childhood," said Streep, who plays a country singer invited to perform on the show.
(© 2006 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)