Hey! Some of you have asked why there is a focus on Steven Soderbergh in each of these news clips.
This TRAFFIC page is part of a Steven Soderbergh Tribute page. If you want more news, you will have
to go elsewhere. Sorry.

  In an article that appeared in the Washington Post on December 28th and has since appeared in numerous other papers across the U.S., Post columnist Richard Cohen criticized film critics for their high praise of TRAFFIC. Citing various lapses in continuity and common sense that appear in TRAFFIC, Cohen calls the film "stupid" and criticizes film critics for being "in thrall with whiz-kid Steven Soderbergh's movie-making." He then attacks Soderbergh by saying "he knows he cheated on this one and, worse, he knows he got away with it." (Washington Post 12.28.00)
  The Las Vegas Film Critics Society awarded ERIN BROCKOVICH—not TRAFFIC with their Best Picture prize. Steven Soderbergh also won the Best Director award for the picture. This is contrary to how many of the awards groups have voted this year. Benicio Del Toro did win the Best Supporting Actor award for his performance in TRAFFIC. Also, the San Diego Film Critics Society also passed out their awards this year. The Best Picture and Best Director combo went to San Diego native Cameron Crowe for ALMOST FAMOUS. Julia Roberts, however won Best Actress and Del Toro won Best Supporting Actor.
(courtesy of Mr. Showbiz December 27, 2000)

  The 58th Annual Golden Globe Award nominations were announced on Thursday, and Steven Sodebergh appears to be the big winner. Both ERIN BROCKOVICH and TRAFFIC were nominated for Best Dramatic Picture. To top it off, Soderbergh was nominated not once—but twice, as Best Director for these two films. BROCKOVICH earned two additional nominations with a Best Dramatic Actress nod to Julia Roberts and a Best Supporting Actor (Drama) nomination for Albert Finney. TRAFFIC was nominated for five total awards. In additional to the Best Picture and Best Director nominations, Steven Gaghan was nominated for his screenplay, Catherine Zeta Jones was nominated for Best Dramatic Supporting Actress and Benicio Del Toro was nominated for Best Dramatic Supporting Actor. TRAFFIC star Michael Douglas also received a Best Dramatic Actor nomination for his role in WONDER BOYS.
(From Mr. Showbiz 12.21.00)

  The Broadcast Critics Association announced their award winners for 2000, and Steven Soderbergh has won another Best Director Award. Like his previous wins, the award honors both ERIN BROCKOVICH and TRAFFIC. Julia Roberts won the Best Actress Award for her role in BROCKOVICH. Writer Steven Gaghan won the award for Best Adapted Screenplay. Both BROCKOVICH and TRAFFIC are also in consideration for the Best Picture Award. They will be competing with nine other finalists for the award that will be announced on January 22, 2000 at the Beverly Hills Ceremony. Also TRAFFIC received nine nominations for the Golden Satellite Awards. The winners will be announced January 14, 2000. Stay tuned for more details on both these stories.
(courtesy of Reuters 12.19.00)

  Sen. Orrin Hatch, who has criticized Hollywood's depiction of violence, has a cameo in the drug-war drama TRAFFIC. While the movie includes scenes of nudity, sex, drug use and profanity and is rated R, Hatch said he participated because of its anti-drug message.
``I don't see how they could have made it without violence and still accurately portray the drug culture - and how degrading it is,'' the Utah Republican said.
Hatch appears in a scene in which actor Michael Douglas, portraying a man nominated as the nation's drug czar, talks to senators at a party. Hatch, chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, was among several committee members who agreed to do cameos.
``They told my staff the movie would be about how drugs destroy families, and I thought that would be worthwhile,'' Hatch said.The film, directed by Steven Soderbergh, opens Dec. 27 in New York and Los Angeles. (courtesy of the Associated Press 12.19.00)
 
  The Los Angeles Film Critics Assn. gave Steven Soderbergh the Best Director prize for his work on both ERIN BROCKOVICH and TRAFFIC. ERIN star, Julia Roberts was awarded Best Actress, and TRAFFIC star Michael Douglas won the award for Best Actor for his role in WONDER BOYS. The awards will officially be handed out on January 19, 2001. (From Reuters 12.18.00)
  The New York Film Critics Circle awarded TRAFFIC as its Best Picture for 2000. Steven Soderbergh was also handed the Best Director prize for his work in ERIN BROCKOVICH and TRAFFIC. Actor Benicio Del Toro was also honored with the Best Supporting Actor award for his work in the picture. (From Mr. Showbiz 12.13.00)
  The National Board of Review handed out its awards and Steven Soderbergh was honored with a Best Director Prize. The award was in recognition of both ERIN BROCKOVICH and TRAFFIC. ERIN BROCKOVICH star Julia Roberts was awarded the Best Actress prize for her work in the film. TRAFFIC finished second in the Best Picture of the year category. (From Mr.Showbiz 12.7.00)