MOVIES - April 3, 1993

‘Deception’ Objection: The country of Panama has sent a letter of protest to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for awarding the best documentary Oscar to “The Panama Deception.” Alfred E. Marhol, Panama’s consul-general in Los Angeles, told the academy that honoring the film was “irresponsible and potentially destructive for a developing country like Panama.” The film’s producers, the Los Angeles-based Empowerment Project, replied in a statement: “ ‘The Panama Deception’ is absolutely accurate in its information and allegations . . . .” The controversial film, directed by Barbara Trent, documents the December, 1989, U.S. invasion of Panama that ousted Manuel Noriega.