'Zero Dark Thirty' Controversy: Actor David Clennon Calls For Boycott for the Oscar Nominee

"Zero Dark Thirty" continues to create controversy as actor David Clennon called for a boycott and stated that he would not vote at the Oscars for the Oscar-nominated film directed by Kathryn Bigelow.

Actor David Clennon affirmed that voting for the film would be to accept the promotion of torture. He stated "I firmly believe that the film Zero Dark Thirty promotes the acceptance of the crime of torture, as a legitimate weapon in America's so-called war on terror. In that belief, following my conscience, I will not vote for Zero Dark Thirty in any category...I cannot vote for a film that makes heroes of Americans who commit the crime of torture."

Sony President Amy Pascal was outraged by comments and defended the film stating "To not include that part of history would have been irresponsible and inaccurate. We fully support Kathryn Bigelow and [screenwriter] Mark Boal and stand behind this extraordinary movie. We are outraged that any responsible member of the Academy would use their voting status in AMPAS as a platform to advance their own political agenda."

Clennon is not the only actor who has protested against the film. Both actor Martin Sheen ("The Way") and former president of the Screen Actor's Guild, Ed Asner, have already spoken out against the film. Asner commented "One of the brightest female directors in the business is in danger of becoming part of the system. Politicians Diane Feinstein and John McCain have also condemned the film and called an investigation into the CIA's cooperation with the filmmakers.

The controversy has also spread to CIA agents as Ex-CIA agent Lindsay Moran publicly questioned why the government has not unveiled the Osama Bin Laden dead body pictures. She stated that Zero Dark Thirty's torture scenes would do more to radicalize potential terrorists and later stated that movie is amazing but very "revealing." She added, "It contains a lot of disturbing scenes of detainees being tortured" and that "What I find ironic is the government claiming that this is classified information and would put Americans at risk at the very same time that two Hollywood film-makers were given unprecedented access to the CIA - basically made an infomercial about CIA interrogation."

"Zero Dark Thirty" made headlines on Thursday Jan. 10 when Kathryn Bigelow failed to get a Best Director nomination from the Oscars. The film was nominated for Best Picture, Best Screenplay and Best Actress for Jessica Chastain as well as two technical awards. The movie also recently won the box office and most believe that the solid opening was due to the controversy the film has been part of.

"Zero Dark Thirty" recently won a Golden Globe for Best Actress and is currently in theaters playing nationwide.