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 War Machine. Show all posts
Showing posts with label War Machine. 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
Monday, August 22, 2016
Exclusive: Will Poulter reveals his "life-changing" role in War Machine opposite Brad Pitt
It's the biggest Netflix movie yet.
BY ROSIE FLETCHER
22 AUGUST 2016
BY ROSIE FLETCHER
22 AUGUST 2016
Brit actor Will Poulter is going from strength to strength with his career.
In January, we saw him in The Revenant opposite Leonardo DiCaprio and Tom Hardy; later this week his movie Kids in Love is released, where he stars opposite Cara Delevingne; and next he's starring opposite Brad Pitt in satirical comedy War Machine - a role he says changed his life.
"I play a US marine in the film," he told Digital Spy while chatting to promote the release of Kids in Love.
"I'm a small part of what I'd supposed you'd say is a big production. Brad Pitt is phenomenal in it, I got the opportunity to do several scenes with him, which was incredible, and to play a US Marine was one of the greatest honours, and most life-changing experiences I've ever had - the training, the research and the practice of that was a massive privilege, it's changed me long term I think."
When we asked what he felt had changed in him particularly, he said:
"I think in terms of my respect for servicemen, the way I view responsibility, the importance of looking after yourself from a physical perspective and the mental strength that's required in the real life scenarios.
"It makes you realise that as an actor, although your job might be celebrated publicly, it pales in comparison. And certainly in significance to what people who fight for the rights of our country do for a living."
War Machine is based on the non-fiction book The Operators by journalist Michael Hastings, and follows his travels with US military leader General Stanley McChrystal in Afghanistan in 2010. Pitt will play McChrystal in the movie produced and distributed by Netflix.
So was it intimidating working with actors of the calibre of DiCaprio and Pitt?
"Yeah, I guess it can be. Initially on paper as a notion, it seems quite surreal. But what's really gratifying about working with Leo and Brad and actors of their nature is that sense of feeling intimidated or irked by who they are to everyone else falls away, because they are so down to earth - before everything else, they're just very regular human beings, which makes it such an enjoyable process."
War Machine is directed by David Michod, who made Australian gangland thriller Animal Kingdom and the dystopian road movie The Rover with Robert Pattinson. But War Machine will be quite a different prospect according to Poulter.
"I'd say it's a satirical movie, that's the best way to describe it. David Michod is a very versatile film director - I'd say Animal Kingdom, The Rover and War Machine are all very different to each other."
Kids in Love opens in cinemas on August 26. War Machine comes to Netflix in 2017.
not mine.credit and source: DIGITAL SPY
Monday, February 8, 2016
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
Tuesday, February 2, 2016
Brad Pitt transforms into a silver fox after dying hair GREY for upcoming film
2 FEB 2016 BY EDWARD ROBERTS
The 52-year-old actor has gone to great lengths to get into character for new movie War Machine
Okay, so Brad Pitt has been making his fans weak at the knees for pretty much his whole career.
But the actor risked throwing all his sex appeal into question when he unveiled a full head of grey hair over the weekend.
The 52-year-old, who is married to Angelina Jolie , was spotted with the dyed tresses as he filmed scenes for new movie War Machine in Paris.
Brad's temporary new 'do finally means we know whether he'll one day make a dashing silver fox.
And we're happy to report that he'll have no problem pulling off a more mature look when - or if - the ageing process kicks in.
The dad-of-six was looking hunkier than ever as he ran through the streets of the French capital.
not mine.credit and source: MIRROR UK
The 52-year-old actor has gone to great lengths to get into character for new movie War Machine
Okay, so Brad Pitt has been making his fans weak at the knees for pretty much his whole career.
But the actor risked throwing all his sex appeal into question when he unveiled a full head of grey hair over the weekend.
The 52-year-old, who is married to Angelina Jolie , was spotted with the dyed tresses as he filmed scenes for new movie War Machine in Paris.
Brad's temporary new 'do finally means we know whether he'll one day make a dashing silver fox.
And we're happy to report that he'll have no problem pulling off a more mature look when - or if - the ageing process kicks in.
The dad-of-six was looking hunkier than ever as he ran through the streets of the French capital.
not mine.credit and source: MIRROR UK
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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