SPIELBERG HOPES MOVIE CAN BREAK MID-EAST STALEMATE

Drudge Report ^ | Sun Dec 04 2005 08:29:34 ET | Matthew Drudge

[Cinnamon Girl]

Steven Spielberg, IN ONLY INTERVIEW WORLDWIDE BEFORE 'MUNICH' RELEASE Discusses CONTROVERSIAL New Film to Open Dec. 23.

‘There has never been an adequate tribute paid to the Israeli athletes who were murdered in ’72,’ Spielberg says.

“I don’t think any movie or any book or any work of art can solve the stalemate in the Middle East today,” director Steven Spielberg tells TIME in an exclusive cover-story interview. “But it’s certainly worth a try,” Spielberg says.

Since filming began in June, the movie (reported to cost around $70 million) “has been surrounded by rumors, criticism, and suggestions that Spielberg was too pro-Israel to make a fair movie,” according to TIME.

"I'm always in favor of Israel responding strongly when it's threatened. At the same time, a response to a response doesn't really solve anything. It just creates a perpetual-motion machine," Spielberg says. "There's been a quagmire of blood for blood for many decades in that region. Where does it end? How can it end?"

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[Cinnamon Girl]

I've seen this statement a few times now with regard to this movie and it bugs me: “has been surrounded by rumors, criticism, and suggestions that Spielberg was too pro-Israel to make a fair movie,” according to TIME.

Innocent Israeli atheletes were held hostage and then murdered by so-called palestinians who were trying to 'make a statement to the world.' How do you make a film about this which isn't "pro-Israeli?" Do you try to portray the terrorists' point of view, and empathize with them, as say, Barbara Walters would? Do you somehow imply that the Israelis were asking for it by daring to participate in a sporting event on the world stage?

Why doesn't Spielberg come right out and say that?

The best film about the Munich massacre remains "One Day in September," although I'm holding out some hope that Spielberg gets it right.

[SteveMcKing]

Like all Hollywood elites, Steven Spielberg believes himself the paragon of moral leadership who will save the world from itself.

If the dry facts of history alone don't move you, then you shouldn't be watching dramatic re-enactments. You shouldn't be voting, for that matter. Of course Steven knows this too...

[mwyounce]

“I don’t think any movie or any book or any work of art can solve the stalemate in the Middle East today,” director Steven Spielberg tells TIME in an exclusive cover-story interview. “But it’s certainly worth a try,” Spielberg says.

It seems to me that the headline doesn't match the quote...

[stocksthatgoup]

Speilberg movie will do more to solve the Middle East Crisis than Removing Saddam Hussein. /s

[mewzilla]

I see the article is from Time. It's all about marketing.

[CondorFlight]

"a response to a response doesn't really solve anything. It just creates a perpetual-motion machine,"

Right. So we were wrong to oppose Hitler, respond to the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, and wrong to liberate Europe. (sarc/)

Actually, the subsequent taking of the educational facilities out of the hands of fanatics,
and raising the new generation with democratic values,
will do far more to bring about peace in the ME than
"understanding" why a terrorist acts like a barbarian.

But to do that, you first have to DEFEAT the fanatics--not engage in dialogue with them.

[Romanov]

These hollyweird people really get my dander up! The shame is they really believe they make a difference in the world

[Prime Choice]

I think the quote squares with the headline. From what I gathered, Spielberg is admitting that a movie won't solve the problem, but he's hoping the effort has some kind of positive effect.

But you do have a point. Headline writers really shoot from the hip...and not always that accurately.

[jz638]

"There's been a quagmire of blood for blood for many decades in that region..."

Perhaps the understatement of the year.

[Sans-Culotte]

The 1986 Made-for-HBO flick Sword of Gideon is pretty decent, too.

[Extremely Extreme Extremist]

Spielberg is one of the few liberals I can tolerate.

[Puppage]

Here's a thought: Why not just TELL THE STORY AS IT HAPPENED?

Leave the political agenda at home.

How arrogant can the hollywierd libs be?

[Bosco]

Usually the best way for two opponents to lay the problem to rest is on the battlefield.

[DoughtyOne]

I agree with your take, but I cannot fathom someone being shallow enough to make this set of comments.

"I'm always in favor of Israel responding strongly when it's threatened. At the same time, a response to a response doesn't really solve anything. It just creates a perpetual-motion machine," Spielberg says. "There's been a quagmire of blood for blood for many decades in that region. Where does it end? How can it end?"

Holy cow Batman.

Violence ends when confused people unify and leave no room for doubt that terrorists are the problem, and legitimate states like Israel who are under constant attack are not.

Steven, can you name one people who have sworn to utterly destroy all citizens of a neighbor state, and a nation that has not sworn to utterly destroy their neighbor even though their citizens are the target group?

I seriously doubt it.

[stboz]

No! No! No! Only singing songs about the Middle East will work.

Come on now...."Kumbaya....."

Ah, screw it.

[mewzilla]

I agree with your take, but I cannot fathom someone being shallow enough to make this set of comments.

It's Hollyweird. 'Nuff said :)

[DoughtyOne]

I don't know, it would amost have to be Hollyweed or Hollycrack to make those comments.

[mewzilla]

Well, those work for me, too :)

[kenth]

Is there a Nobel prize for Delusions of Grandeur?