BALANCE of CULTURE

Tehran Plans Hollywood Lawsuit

I wasn't aware that one could "sue Hollywood" over a film that is considered unrealistic, but that is exactly what Iranian officials plan to do with Argo. Yes, the real-life drama of this film just won't go away, even weeks following the Academy Awards.

Citing the movie as propaganda that is "pro-CIA" and "anti-Iran," Tehran has hired French lawyer Isabelle Coutant-Peyre to figure out what specific charges to pursue as well as which court to approach. In the meantime, she plans to start an anti-Argo campaign with the intent to block distributors and force them to apologize and admit the film is "a sheer lie." Coutant-Peyre may sound familiar because she also represents "Carlos the Jackal."

Argo's inaccuracies have already been widely discussed, but I don't see this issue to be about mere facts. It's very likely that a generational gap is at play here: the older generation Iranians who went through the 1979 Islamic Revolution seem to have much more issues with the story compared to their younger fellow citizens, who are much more open to other perspectives on what they have been traditionally taught to believe. At any rate, the one thing that should be considered at this point is how Argo is a movie based on a true story--not a documentary film.

Regardless of how this strange lawsuit pans out, it guarantees to cast a negative light upon Iranian officials and their policies towards our universal understanding of imparting and exchanging information, ideas, and art. Their reasoning and harsh reaction alone unfortunately does not seem to cultivate much empathy even for the most reasonable onlooker. 

(If you haven't seen it yet, I highly recommend it--the first twenty minutes are incredibly gripping, and it's one of the few films that doesn't seem to lag whatsoever even though we all know how the story ends!)

Letters of Resignation

How time flies! Just over ten years ago, foreign service officer John H. Brown sent in the following letter of resignation to then Secretary of State Colin Powell: 

To: Secretary of State Colin Powell

March 10, 2003

Dear Mr. Secretary:

I am joining my colleague John Brady Kiesling in submitting my resignation from the Foreign Service (effective immediately) because I cannot in good conscience support President Bush's war plans against Iraq.

The president has failed:

--To explain clearly why our brave men and women in uniform should be ready to sacrifice their lives in a war on Iraq at this time;

--To lay out the full ramifications of this war, including the extent of innocent civilian casualties;

--To specify the economic costs of the war for ordinary Americans;

--To clarify how the war would help rid the world of terror;

--To take international public opinion against the war into serious consideration.

Throughout the globe the United States is becoming associated with the unjustified use of force. The president's disregard for views in other nations, borne out by his neglect of public diplomacy, is giving birth to an anti-American century.

I joined the Foreign Service because I love our country. Respectfully, Mr. Secretary, I am now bringing this calling to a close, with a heavy heart but for the same reason that I embraced it.

Sincerely,

John H. Brown Foreign Service Officer

Two other FSOs resigned over Iraq: Mary Ann Wright (her thoughts on the Bush administration's approach to North Korea ring true today) and John Brady Kiesling (who wrote from his post in Athens, Greece). Though they wrote these letters over ten years ago, I think that all governments could certainly find relevance in many of their positions today. 

Brown joined the Foreign Service in 1981 and has been affiliated with Georgetown University since 2001. His blog, John Brown's Public Diplomacy Press and Blog Review, is a must-read for those interested in diplomacy, foreign policy, and cultural affairs. 

A "Dachshund UN"

Fitting for this month--"Dachshund UN" just opened to coincide with the UN Commission on Human Rights in Geneva, Switzerland, which began just a few days ago.  

Dennis Rodman Enters North Korea

Dennis Rodman is in North Korea on a "basketball diplomacy" trip with the Harlem Globetrotters and Vice Media Group. Understandably this won't please every North Korea relations expert right now, but I've always been a proponent of using all styles of engagement in order to progress communications with non-allies--even when the star is described as looking like "a monster!" 

However…the main worrisome part about events like this is how the spectacle of the visitors--Rodman, Globetrotters, Vice--often overshadow their actual objective of cultural exchange. And let's not forget the sad truth about the lucky North Korean kids that get to shoot hoops with these stars--they'll come exclusively from the privileged families of Pyongyang that aren't fighting to survive through perennial food shortages and crumbling infrastructure. Rest assured that the footage of this trip won't include the reality of the impoverished majority. 

But, baby steps?

 

 

A Political Oscars 2013

Amid all the singing and dancing last night in Hollywood, there was also a little "message" from the US government to Iran at the end of the Academy Awards...

Michelle Obama's appearance at the Oscars last night was definitely a surprise (though not quite unprecedented) as she presented the coveted "Best Picture" award to Argo. Apparently the Academy and the White House lack any perceived reservations about further politicizing the controversial film, which has been heavily lauded despite the Iranian government denouncing it as "anti-Iran." 

Not only does this move indicate a general consensus between Hollywood and our government's inherent and influential soft power relationship, but it also happened to be timed just before Iran's already-tense nuclear talk resumes in Kazakhstan this week. 

BoC Dérive: 15 February 2013

Straight out of a movie!

Online Dérive:

FINALLY: International pressure is mounting for the UN to launch a formal human rights inquiry in North Korea. 

REALITY: For the first time since taking office, South Africa's president addresses the country's rape problem (which is the highest in the world).

RESOURCES: The EU finds itself powerless to get companies in Congo to practice transparency regarding sales of conflict minerals.

MDG: Is it possible to end extreme poverty in our time?

C'EST PAS SORCIER: Some French influence is being aired on South Korean television lately. 

10 TONS: VIdeos of the meteor (above) that crashed in Central Russia this morning. 

TALK: This should be an interesting event--Media as Global Diplomat: Media that Moves Millions.

UN Exhibit: History as News

A very interesting exhibit just opened at the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland: History as News. This unique exhibit shares +100 historic front pages of newspapers worldwide published from 1898-2012. It's located at the Palais des Nations until March 1. Definitely a must-see if you're in Geneva this month!

Fresh Water Facts

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Nuclear Test Road, North Korea

Besides the North Korean prison camps that Google's map coverage recently detailed to the world, the country conducted its third nuclear test today--which also happened to occur right next to coordinates labeled "Nuclear Test Road." Needless to say, neighboring countries like ally China and even Iran have condemned the test.

Watch: House of Cards

Possibly the best television program I have ever seen: Netflix's House of Cards. The show has really set the bar for me--no other show I've seen comes close to the quality of this one. Too bad we just finished the final chapter of the series last night--I cannot wait for the second season!