By Ahmed Rashid
Lahore
2 July 2017
The longest war the US has ever fought - 16 years and counting - is about to get longer as President Donald Trump decides on sending several thousand more troops to Afghanistan.
As with the wars in the Middle East, Afghanistan highlights the difficult political choices and counter-insurgency strategies the US has been pursuing fruitlessly since 9/11. Today six Muslim countries (Iraq, Syria, Yemen, Libya, Somalia and Afghanistan) are in a state of meltdown - partly as a result of US policies.
The "war on terror" launched by President George Bush, the US invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq, and the conflicting policies of carrying out regime change in the midst of an ever-expanding Islamist extremist opposition have all created greater dilemmas for the US.
Since 9/11 there have been many good books and documentary films made about these dilemmas. Yet in all this time Hollywood has been unable to produce a movie that informs or educates the average movie-goer as to the bigger picture on why failure persists and jihadism spreads.
The few Hollywood films made about America's wars tend to be either satires or action movies in the John Wayne mould, showing US troops as heroic and caring but professional killers.
An exception was the 2008 film Hurt Locker, which won six Oscars and depicted the dilemmas faced by a US Explosive Ordinance Disposal unit in Iraq. But even Hurt Locker dealt with only a slice of the problem, as did otherwise well-made documentaries about US forces in Afghanistan such as Restrepo and Korengal.
Hollywood movies do not ask the difficult strategic questions.
Should the US invade or interfere in countries it knows little about, how do US troops win over local support, is nation building and promotion of democracy feasible by one part of the US government while another part pursues a war strategy? Can the US ever understand tribal societies through the barrel of a gun?
Hollywood has left us devoid of any understanding of the escalating global chaos.
That is until now. A remarkable new film, War Machine starring Brad Pitt, which at first whiff sounds like a gonzo-type war movie, brilliantly portrays these themes outlined above. David Michod, the Australian writer and director, and Netflix have made a movie that is both dark and satirical, emotional and belly-laugh funny, as well as being educative about US interventions.
The script is based on the Rolling Stone magazine article and subsequent book The Operators: The Wild and Terrifying Inside Story of America's War in Afghanistan, by the late journalist Michael Hastings.
His article led to the 2010 sacking of Stanley McChrystal, the US general in charge of the war in Afghanistan, after he and his staff officers made disparaging remarks about President Barack Obama to the journalist. The movie tells the story leading up to Gen McChrystal's dismissal.
The casting of Pitt as Gen Glen McMahon, the imagined McChrystal who is beloved by his men but also full of comic eccentrics, is near perfect. Pitt plays his role partly as absurdist comedy but also as someone who is on a steep learning curve on how to win or lose modern wars.
Full of bluster and self confidence Gen McMahon arrives to take charge in Kabul after another general had failed. "Let's go win this thing," and "Let's knock this on the head," he tells his military aides - a coterie of equally brilliant actors whose cameos act as foils for Gen McMahon's slow realisation that he is only repeating what other generals before him have tried and failed to do.
Gen McMahon cannot get the additional US troops he needs because Mr Obama is reluctant to send any. Gen McMahon cannot stop Afghan farmers from growing poppy because, officials tell him alternative crops like cotton would be competing with US farmers.
Fellow Nato officers teach Gen McMahon a new reality. "You can't build a nation at gunpoint" and "you can't win the trust of a country by invading it", he is told.
A cynical President Hamid Karzai, superbly played by Ben Kingsley (with all of Mr Karzai's habitual tics), hears out Gen McMahon describing how he will mark out a new direction. "We will build Afghanistan into a free and prosperous nation," says Gen McMahon. "Sounds a lot like the old direction," Mr Karzai replies with a knowing smile.
Several dark yet truthful encounters speed up Gen McMahon's understanding. A troubled and angry US marine played by Lakeith Stanfield questions how his contradictory strategy can work. Trained to kill, the marines is now told he must show "courageous restraint".
"I can't tell the difference between the people and the enemy," says the marine. "They all look alike to me. We can't help them and kill them at the same time. I am confused," he states.
Actress Tilda Swinton, playing a German politician, tells Gen McMahon that "you are spread all over the country and fighting 1,000 separate battles with local people who don't want you in their villages and that is a war you will never win". The general is gobsmacked into silence.
The film will not get a wide cinema release because it is showing on Netflix. However, this is a film that should particularly be shown at universities and colleges, and discussed amongst young and old.
It helps us understand why counter-insurgency is failing, terrorism expanding and why wars have destroyed so many countries. It helps explain why after 16 years Washington is still debating troop numbers.
not mine.credit and source: BBC
Showing posts with label Netflix. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Netflix. Show all posts
Sunday, July 2, 2017
Saturday, May 20, 2017
Topher Grace thinks Brad Pitt's making all the great films now
By Matt Prigge
Published : May 19, 2017
Topher Grace has had a crazy career. He could have been Eric Foreman, his deadpanning “That ’70s Show” everydude, forever. Instead, he’s always taken roles that broke away from that type. He was an entitled rich kid druggie in “Traffic.” He was a comic book villain in “Spider-Man 3.” He was a bureaucratic baddie in “Predators.” Now he’s a douchey press advisor stationed in Afghanistan in “War Machine.” Brad Pitt both produced the satirical comedy and stars as a character based on disgraced General Stanley McChrystal, who was sent to America’s other recent big war to sort out the counter-insurgency. What he found was a hot mess not even the mightiest of military brass could fix.
When he talked to Grace, 38, he didn’t only talk about “War Machine” or Brad Pitt. He nerded out over one of our faves, "Mr. Show."
I’m really glad you recently tweeted about Pit-Pat, from one of my favorite “Mr. Show” sketches the other day.
I was positive when I posted it that a very small percentage of people would get it, but those people would really love it.
I’m probably one of about 20 people who got it and loved it.
I actually went to a taping of it back in the day. It’s the one that starts in the Playboy Club. I remember, I was just starting to get that style of humor. I’ve met Bob Odenkirk on a couple occasions and he’s a god. He’s very giving. He understands that for a generation he’s the guy. He once said to me, because I was nerding out on him, “You know, I had the same thing with Monty Python.” He would have died if he’d bumped into John Cleese.
You haven’t yourself done sketch comedy, though, apart from hosting “Saturday Night Live” back in 2005.
I remember feeling like, ‘Oh, I’m not very good at sketch comedy!’ [Laughs] It’s a real skill. I really gained more respect for people who have it. Like Melissa McCarthy, who can just go in there and nail it. When I was on there I just wound up playing the normal guy in every sketch — the guy who’s setting up another character. Which I was totally fine with, because I’m not good at that stuff.
You don’t think you can do wacky characters?
No. When I arrived there on the first day, when they read through all the sketches, I realized, ‘This isn’t really my jam.’ I was on a sitcom, but even there I enjoyed the quieter moments a little more. But if you look at Bob Odenkirk, he’s someone who’s great at both. I can’t even imagine how to do that. In that new “Bob & David” thing [the “Mr. Show” reunion show from Netflix], they did this sketch where Bob’s a bible salesman. And he was combining real AMC drama-level stuff with outlandish comedy. My hat’s off to anyone who can do both.
“War Machine”’s funny, too, but not in a wacky way. It’s more satirical.
This is a different kind of funny. It’s not “ha ha funny.” It’s “this is happening this week” ironic-funny. It’s hard to do something like this, an account of what really happened, without humor. But David Michod [the writer/director] had the balls to sugarcoat the pill. That’s a great way to get more people to take a look at something they should have more information about. Me included. I kind of remember when General McChrystal was fired, but I didn’t enough about it or about the counter-insurgency.
I always worry movies like “War Machine” won’t be seen or even made. It’s a big-budget movie that’s not about superheroes, and it almost certainly only exists because Brad Pitt took it to Netflix himself.
Brad’s really smart. His company is producing all the great films right now, including “Moonlight” and “The Big Short” and “12 Years a Slave.” Since we made the film, more actors are going to Netflix. But Brad was smart to do it first. I don’t think it would have been made or been seen otherwise. Now it’s something you can watch. And it sparks conversation. When I saw it with my representatives and my wife, we all started talking afterwards. It’s one of those films.
not mine.credit and source: METRO US
Published : May 19, 2017
Topher Grace has had a crazy career. He could have been Eric Foreman, his deadpanning “That ’70s Show” everydude, forever. Instead, he’s always taken roles that broke away from that type. He was an entitled rich kid druggie in “Traffic.” He was a comic book villain in “Spider-Man 3.” He was a bureaucratic baddie in “Predators.” Now he’s a douchey press advisor stationed in Afghanistan in “War Machine.” Brad Pitt both produced the satirical comedy and stars as a character based on disgraced General Stanley McChrystal, who was sent to America’s other recent big war to sort out the counter-insurgency. What he found was a hot mess not even the mightiest of military brass could fix.
When he talked to Grace, 38, he didn’t only talk about “War Machine” or Brad Pitt. He nerded out over one of our faves, "Mr. Show."
I’m really glad you recently tweeted about Pit-Pat, from one of my favorite “Mr. Show” sketches the other day.
I was positive when I posted it that a very small percentage of people would get it, but those people would really love it.
I’m probably one of about 20 people who got it and loved it.
I actually went to a taping of it back in the day. It’s the one that starts in the Playboy Club. I remember, I was just starting to get that style of humor. I’ve met Bob Odenkirk on a couple occasions and he’s a god. He’s very giving. He understands that for a generation he’s the guy. He once said to me, because I was nerding out on him, “You know, I had the same thing with Monty Python.” He would have died if he’d bumped into John Cleese.
You haven’t yourself done sketch comedy, though, apart from hosting “Saturday Night Live” back in 2005.
I remember feeling like, ‘Oh, I’m not very good at sketch comedy!’ [Laughs] It’s a real skill. I really gained more respect for people who have it. Like Melissa McCarthy, who can just go in there and nail it. When I was on there I just wound up playing the normal guy in every sketch — the guy who’s setting up another character. Which I was totally fine with, because I’m not good at that stuff.
You don’t think you can do wacky characters?
No. When I arrived there on the first day, when they read through all the sketches, I realized, ‘This isn’t really my jam.’ I was on a sitcom, but even there I enjoyed the quieter moments a little more. But if you look at Bob Odenkirk, he’s someone who’s great at both. I can’t even imagine how to do that. In that new “Bob & David” thing [the “Mr. Show” reunion show from Netflix], they did this sketch where Bob’s a bible salesman. And he was combining real AMC drama-level stuff with outlandish comedy. My hat’s off to anyone who can do both.
“War Machine”’s funny, too, but not in a wacky way. It’s more satirical.
This is a different kind of funny. It’s not “ha ha funny.” It’s “this is happening this week” ironic-funny. It’s hard to do something like this, an account of what really happened, without humor. But David Michod [the writer/director] had the balls to sugarcoat the pill. That’s a great way to get more people to take a look at something they should have more information about. Me included. I kind of remember when General McChrystal was fired, but I didn’t enough about it or about the counter-insurgency.
I always worry movies like “War Machine” won’t be seen or even made. It’s a big-budget movie that’s not about superheroes, and it almost certainly only exists because Brad Pitt took it to Netflix himself.
Brad’s really smart. His company is producing all the great films right now, including “Moonlight” and “The Big Short” and “12 Years a Slave.” Since we made the film, more actors are going to Netflix. But Brad was smart to do it first. I don’t think it would have been made or been seen otherwise. Now it’s something you can watch. And it sparks conversation. When I saw it with my representatives and my wife, we all started talking afterwards. It’s one of those films.
not mine.credit and source: METRO US
Thursday, January 19, 2017
The OA Star and Creator Brit Marling Still Can't 'Fully Absorb' Working with Brad Pitt
BY AURELIE CORINTHIOS
JANUARY 19, 2017
She may be the star and creator of one of Netflix’s hottest new series, but Brit Marling gets starstruck just like the rest of us.
PEOPLE Now recently caught up with the actress, who revealed what it was like working with Brad Pitt and his production company, Plan B, on the new sci-fi series The OA.
“Brad read the scripts and thought they were far-out and interesting,” revealed Marling, 33. “And I think as a performer he’s somebody who really takes risks. He’s somebody who’s always chosen the part that’s interesting. I remember watching Fight Club for the first time and being like: ‘This is exhilarating! This performance is amazing!’ ”
“So I think for him, reading something like The OA, it made sense,” she continued. “He was like: ‘Yeah, this is different, this is a little punk, this is new.’ And he got behind it and we’re very fortunate.”
As for what it felt like knowing one of the world’s most A-list actors was a fan of her scripts?
“I mean, I still don’t think I can fully absorb that,” she said with a laugh. “Because you spend a long time watching someone like that on screen and being moved by their work and the profundity of their work, so I think you sort of take it in, but you’re [also] just like: ‘Oh wow, now we’ve got to make something that lives up to the expectation!’ ”
Ultimately, Marling couldn’t be more thankful for Pitt, 53, and the rest of the team at Plan B.
“He was a tremendous support to the show,” she said. “His company, Plan B, is an amazing group of people … and really passionate storytellers. I think together they’ve all been a part of telling some really important stories: 12 Years a Slave, Selma, and this year’s Moonlight. They’re passionate people and they care about doing stuff outside of the box.”
The OA season 1 is currently streaming on Netflix.
not mine.credit and source: PEOPLE
JANUARY 19, 2017
She may be the star and creator of one of Netflix’s hottest new series, but Brit Marling gets starstruck just like the rest of us.
PEOPLE Now recently caught up with the actress, who revealed what it was like working with Brad Pitt and his production company, Plan B, on the new sci-fi series The OA.
“Brad read the scripts and thought they were far-out and interesting,” revealed Marling, 33. “And I think as a performer he’s somebody who really takes risks. He’s somebody who’s always chosen the part that’s interesting. I remember watching Fight Club for the first time and being like: ‘This is exhilarating! This performance is amazing!’ ”
“So I think for him, reading something like The OA, it made sense,” she continued. “He was like: ‘Yeah, this is different, this is a little punk, this is new.’ And he got behind it and we’re very fortunate.”
As for what it felt like knowing one of the world’s most A-list actors was a fan of her scripts?
“I mean, I still don’t think I can fully absorb that,” she said with a laugh. “Because you spend a long time watching someone like that on screen and being moved by their work and the profundity of their work, so I think you sort of take it in, but you’re [also] just like: ‘Oh wow, now we’ve got to make something that lives up to the expectation!’ ”
Ultimately, Marling couldn’t be more thankful for Pitt, 53, and the rest of the team at Plan B.
“He was a tremendous support to the show,” she said. “His company, Plan B, is an amazing group of people … and really passionate storytellers. I think together they’ve all been a part of telling some really important stories: 12 Years a Slave, Selma, and this year’s Moonlight. They’re passionate people and they care about doing stuff outside of the box.”
The OA season 1 is currently streaming on Netflix.
not mine.credit and source: PEOPLE
Monday, February 8, 2016
Whoa: Netflix Actually Paid $60M for Brad Pitt's Politically Charged Military Satire
by Pamela McClintock 6/17/2015 5:00am PDT
Pitt and director David Michod were rebuffed by the film's original backers over potentially polarizing material in the adaptation of Michael Hastings' book 'The Operators.'
A version of this story first appeared in the June 26 issue of The Hollywood Reporter magazine. To receive the magazine, click here to subscribe.
Adam Sandler is one thing, but how did Netflix land Brad Pitt? Turns out, money talks.
In April 2014, actor-producer Pitt announced he would star in Plan B's adaptation of the late Michael Hastings' book The Operators: The Wild and Terrifying Inside Story of America’s War in Afghanistan as Gen. Stanley A. McChrystal, the commander of U.S. and international troops in Afghanistan who was forced to resign after mocking Vice President Joe Biden and other Obama officials in Hastings' 2010 Rolling Stone story.
What wasn't publicly known was that Pitt and edgy Australian auteur David Michod (Animal Kingdom,The Rover) wanted to make a satirical comedy, not a mainstream, dramatic biopic that would appeal to the U.S. heartland as Clint Eastwood's American Sniper did. Their movie, War Machine, could easily irk conservative audiences.
The film had been set up at New Regency and RatPac Entertainment, but even though New Regency made 12 Years a Slave with Plan B, the backers wanted Michod and producers to lower the proposed $60 million to $70 million budget. The filmmakers balked, putting the project up for grabs, and Netflix revealed June 8 that it had swooped in and grabbed War Machine. CAA, which represents Pitt and Plan B, brokered the deal with Netflix, while Michod is repped by UTA.
Netflix chief content officer Ted Sarandos was willing to pay the $60 million the filmmakers wanted, according to a knowledgeable insider, debunking reports that pegged the price at about half that. "It's great for the specialty film business, since people might be more willing to see challenging, liberal-leaning material in the comfort of their own home [rather] than in a movie theater," says a source close to the deal. "More people might actually see the movie this way."
Or, as Netflix spokesman Jonathan Friedland tells THR: "David Michod and Brad Pitt are known for the fearless and exceptional intelligence of their work, which is why War Machine will be a great treat for Netflix audiences around the world."
And Netflix, which won't reveal budgets, doesn't have to worry about the same things a studio does. "You have a new player in the market willing to invest in material that is provocative," says another person involved with the film. "They have the money and need premium content to drive their subscription base."
The move comes after Netflix has been relatively quiet at festival markets since it ramped up its push into original films in 2014 with Sandler's four-picture deal, although it did plunk down $17 million in Berlin earlier this year to pre-buy worldwide rights to Jadotville, an Irish war drama starringJamie Dornan.
And outside of the festival circuit proper, Netflix paid $12 million for rights to Cary Fukunaga'sAfrican war drama Beast of No Nation, starring Idris Elba (look for the movie to premiere at the Toronto Film Festival in September in hopes of an awards run).
Such a huge investment in War Machine likely signals a commitment to film similar to the one the streaming service has made to TV, which has helped it lure 62 million subscribers. Michod starts shooting in August for a 2016 release on Netflix and in select theaters.
not mine.credit and source: HOLLYWOOD REPORTER
Netflix Dropped A Surprising Amount To Win Brad Pitt's War Machine
BY NICK ROMANO
How do we know that Netflix is a legitimate source for original content? Aside from the massive success of shows like House of Cards and Orange Is the New Black,landing Brad Pitt seems like a immense leap in the right direction. The streaming service continues to bulk up on its own slate of TV and movie offerings, and it paid some major dollars and cents for Pitt’s military satire.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Netflix dropped $60 million for the rights to release Pitt’s War Machine. The streaming service is always on the hunt for premium content for their subscribers, but this is a major buy. War Machine was originally set up at New Regency through Pitt’s Plan B and RatPac Entertainment, but they wanted the filmmakers, including The Rover director David Michod, to lower their costs. Instead of complying, they put the project up for grabs and Netflix swooped in to match the price tag.
War Machine is based on the novel The Operators: The Wild and Terrifying Inside Story of America’s War in Afghanistan by author Michael Hastings. Pitt is set to star as Gen. Stanley A. McChrystal, the commander of the U.S. and international troops in Afghanistan who mocked Obama officials, including Joe Biden, in a 2010 Rolling Stone piece by Hastings. Afterwards, McChrystal was forced to resign. THR notes that what wasn’t commonly known was Michod’s desire to make a satirical comedy that could easily draw ire from conservatie audiences. For Netflix, though, this is the kind of provocative content for which its willing to thrown down big money.
Netflix has its own unique situation. It’s essentially its own studio and is willing to take risks with original programming in order to rival the major TV networks. This strategy also includes plans for more original films, including: the recently struck four-picture deal with Adam Sandler; Beast of No Nation from True Detective’s Cary Fukunaga and starring Idris Elba; and their deal with the Duplass brothers to make four films. Netflix entered the Emmys race with its series offerings, and perhaps if it continues to beef up its film slate, the Golden Globes and Oscars won’t be too far off.
As for Pitt, he recently starred in the World War II drama Fury and continues to produce films through his Plan B banner. In addition to War Machine, the A-lister is preparing for the release of By the Sea, a film in which he co-stars with his wife, Angelina Jolie, who also directed the project. The actor will also return to reprise his role of Gerry Lane in World War Z 2, coming in 2017, and will star in Robert Zemeckis’s WWII romance thriller. Busy, busy man.
not mine.credit and source: CINEMABLEND
How do we know that Netflix is a legitimate source for original content? Aside from the massive success of shows like House of Cards and Orange Is the New Black,landing Brad Pitt seems like a immense leap in the right direction. The streaming service continues to bulk up on its own slate of TV and movie offerings, and it paid some major dollars and cents for Pitt’s military satire.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Netflix dropped $60 million for the rights to release Pitt’s War Machine. The streaming service is always on the hunt for premium content for their subscribers, but this is a major buy. War Machine was originally set up at New Regency through Pitt’s Plan B and RatPac Entertainment, but they wanted the filmmakers, including The Rover director David Michod, to lower their costs. Instead of complying, they put the project up for grabs and Netflix swooped in to match the price tag.
War Machine is based on the novel The Operators: The Wild and Terrifying Inside Story of America’s War in Afghanistan by author Michael Hastings. Pitt is set to star as Gen. Stanley A. McChrystal, the commander of the U.S. and international troops in Afghanistan who mocked Obama officials, including Joe Biden, in a 2010 Rolling Stone piece by Hastings. Afterwards, McChrystal was forced to resign. THR notes that what wasn’t commonly known was Michod’s desire to make a satirical comedy that could easily draw ire from conservatie audiences. For Netflix, though, this is the kind of provocative content for which its willing to thrown down big money.
Netflix has its own unique situation. It’s essentially its own studio and is willing to take risks with original programming in order to rival the major TV networks. This strategy also includes plans for more original films, including: the recently struck four-picture deal with Adam Sandler; Beast of No Nation from True Detective’s Cary Fukunaga and starring Idris Elba; and their deal with the Duplass brothers to make four films. Netflix entered the Emmys race with its series offerings, and perhaps if it continues to beef up its film slate, the Golden Globes and Oscars won’t be too far off.
As for Pitt, he recently starred in the World War II drama Fury and continues to produce films through his Plan B banner. In addition to War Machine, the A-lister is preparing for the release of By the Sea, a film in which he co-stars with his wife, Angelina Jolie, who also directed the project. The actor will also return to reprise his role of Gerry Lane in World War Z 2, coming in 2017, and will star in Robert Zemeckis’s WWII romance thriller. Busy, busy man.
not mine.credit and source: CINEMABLEND
Monday, February 1, 2016
EXCLUSIVE: Brad Pitt Looks Like a Ken Doll on the Set of Upcoming Netflix Drama 'War Machine' -- See the Pics!
by Zach Seemayer 6:30 PM PST, January 31, 2016
Brad Pitt looked unreal while shooting the upcoming Netflix original film War Machine -- and we mean literally unreal, in that he kind of looked like a doll.
The Big Short star was spotted in Paris, France, rocking gray hair on the set of his upcoming political dramedy, which went a long way towards making him look like a military bigwig, especially when he wore his fatigues.
not mine.credit and source: ET ONLINE
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