And the Oscar nominations have been announced. Four out of the five films nominated for Best Documentary were made by black filmmakers, including Ava DuVernay, whose documentary about mass incarceration and race is entitled “13th.” Other nominated documentaries include “I Am Not Your Negro,” “Fire at Sea,” “O.J.: Made in America” and “Life, Animated,” directed by Roger Ross Williams, about a young autistic man named Owen Suskind who learns to communicate through Disney movies. Last year here at the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah, Democracy Now! interviewed Owen and his father, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Ron Suskind.

Ron Suskind: “Why do you love 'Dumbo'? What’s it really about, deep down? What’s the big message?”

Owen Suskind: “Finding your inner hero.”

Ron Suskind: “What does Timothy say to Dumbo that’s so powerful to help him fulfill his destiny?”

Owen Suskind: “’Don’t worry, Dumbo. We’ll—don’t worry, Dumbo. We’ll get you to fly.’ Then the crows say, 'All you need is ’chology. You know, psychology. Ain't that right, boys?’ '[inaudible]' 'You want to make the elephant fly, don't you? Well, then use the magic feather!’ 'The magic feather?' 'Yeah! I gotcha!' 'Dumbo! Have I got it!
The magic feather! Now you can fly!'”

To see our full interview with Owen Suskind, his father Ron and “Life, Animated” director Roger Ross Williams, as well as our interview with Ava DuVernay, whose documentary “13th” has been nominated, click here.