Categorical denial: finance and distrib changes mean kudos damage to some key works.(V PLUS: GOLDEN GLOBES UPDATE)

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Carlos the Jackal, the feared terrorist now serving a life sentence in France, probably never imagined that his story would be used as an example in a debate surrounding the arcane rules of awards organizations.

Olivier Assayas' epic 5 1/2-hour biopic "Carlos" will probably show up on more than a fewr film critics' top-10 lists and may even take a prize or two when the Los Angeles and New York critics groups tally t heir votes.

But because the project originated as a miniseries for French production company Studio Canal, Assayas' riveting, cinematic examination of the life of Ilich Ramirez Sanchez (Carlos' given name) won't be eligible for Oscar consideration. And for the Golden Globes, it will be submitted not for foreign film, but for …