History Channel 2 Hour Documentary Premier: The True Story of Charlie Wilson

Produced by Wild Eyes Prods. Executive producers, Carl H. Lindahl, David Keane; producers, Ryan Spyker, Aaron Cowden; director, Keane; writers, Bowden, Terrence Henry. Narrator: Bill Lloyd. Editor, Justin Inda; music, Michael Plowman. Running time: 120 Min.

“Charlie Wilson’s War” (Wide Release Theater Movie)
Genres: Comedy, Drama, Adaptation, Biopic and War
Running Time: 1 hr. 37 min.
Release Date: December 21st, 2007
MPAA Rating: R for strong language, nudity/sexual content and some drug use.
Distributors: Universal Pictures Distribution
Production Co.: Icarus Productions, Participant Productions, Relativity Media, Playtone
Studios: Universal Pictures
Filming Locations: Morocco
Los Angeles, California USA
Produced in: United States
- - Based on the true story of how Charlie Wilson, an alcoholic womanizer and Texas congressman, persuaded the CIA to train and arm resistance fighters in Afghanistan to fend off the Soviet Union. With the help of rogue CIA agent, Gust Avrakotos, the two men supplied money, training and a team of military experts that turned the ill-equipped Afghan freedom-fighters into a force that brought the Red Army to a stalemate and set the stage for conflicts in the Middle East that still rage to this day.
Reviews and additional movie information:
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Book: Charlie Wilson's War:
The Extraordinary Story of the Largest Covert Operation in History
Hardcover: 416 pages
Publisher: Atlantic Monthly Press (April 2003)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0871138549
ISBN-13: 978-0871138545
------
PaperBack – 550 pages
Publisher: Grove/Atlantic, Inc.
Pub. Date: April 2004
ISBN-13: 9780802141248

Dec 21, 2007: Charlie Wilson’s War Movie:
Line from movie review comment: “I saw the movie last night, and the scene where Julia Roberts (as Joanne Herring) has Pakistan’s President Zia, (Mohammed Zia-ul-Haq) as her guest at the presentation,…. she introduced him as the guy that did not have (Zulfikar Ali) Bhutto assassinated”

12.28.07: Email Received,
From the book Charlie Wilson's War by George Crile.
Re: Joanna Herring: "I want you all to know that President Zia did not kill Bhutto"

When Wilson returned from Pakistan, Joanne Herring announced that everything was in place to give President Zia a reception he world never forget. At vast expense she had the main dining hall of the Houstonian Hotel turned into an exotic vision of a Pakistani palace. The heads of all the major oil companies had accepted, along with a surprising number of other CEO's from the Fortune 500. As she saw it, this was to be his coming-out party, designed to introduce America to the real Zia-ul-Haq. [snip]

The event resembled one of those typical charity balls, which always seem to end with droning, laudatory speeches. But Joanne Herring had summoned her powerful friends for a purpose, and when she rose to introduce the Pakistani leader, she had a surprise for them: "I want you all to know that President Zia did not kill Bhutto." [exact line stated in the movie by Julia Roberts]

Baroness di Portanova could not believe her ears. She knew how much Joanne liked the president, but she winced as her fellow Minute-woman proceeded to deliver an impassioned defense of Zia's role in the hanging of his predecessor, the former Pakistan president, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto.

Posted for FlAttorney by MAR

Draft, General Distribution

I was just pulled out of a business meeting and briefed on the assassination of former Pakistan Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto. Very disturbing news to say the least. Unfortunately, it fits within my November 15, 2007 U.S.-Middle East War “white paper” update as to the Intel forecast for the next twelve (12) months in the M.E. Region, - in which I have substantial expert knowledge going back twenty (23) years. According to reliable sources, Benazir Bhutto death was a prelude to an extremely violent and bloody 2008. A year where there will be a massive push by Islamic Extremists, and other anti-U.S. powers, to inflict heavy casualties on U.S. troops, and other targets in the Region and around the World. The macro purpose being a global push to get a Democrat elected to the U.S. Presidency in November 2008 – A Democrat that will officially cease the U.S.-Iraq~Afghanistan War and withdraw our troops from the Region. [snip to end] . . . It’s a sad day and there will be hell to pay for this event, generally not understood by the American public. Of course, I’m sure the George Soros Shadow Party is secretly quite happy with today’s events, may they rot in hell. ~ 12.27.07-0930, FlA - 2008 First Quarter Chairman, “South Florida Attorney’s for Fred” (Thompson for ’08 President)

You posted:

“What we still don’t understand is why you Americans stopped the bombing of Hanoi. You had us on the ropes. If you had pressed us a little harder, just for another day or two, we were ready to surrender! It was the same at the battles of TET. You defeated us! We knew it, and we thought you knew it. But we were elated to notice your media w as definitely helping us. They were causing more disruption in America than we could in the battlefields. We were ready to surrender. You had won!”

General Vo Nguyen Giap in his memoirs

From a Geocities site:

By 1968, NVA morale was at it's lowest point ever. The plans for "Tet" '68 was their last desperate attempt to achieve a success, in an effort to boost the NVA morale. When it was over, General Giap and the NVA viewed the Tet '68 offensive as a failure, they were on their knees and had prepared to negotiate a surrender.

At that time, there were fewer than 10,000 U.S. casualties, the Vietnam War was about to end, as the NVA was prepared to accept their defeat. Then, they heard Walter Cronkite (former CBS News anchor and correspondent) on TV proclaiming the success of the Tet '68 offensive by the communist NVA. They were completely and totally amazed at hearing that the US Embassy had been overrun. In reality, The NVA had not gained access to the Embassy--there were some VC who had been killed on the grassy lawn, but they hadn't gained access. Further reports indicated the riots and protesting on the streets of America.

According to Giap, these distorted reports were inspirational to the NVA. They changed their plans from a negotiated surrender and decided instead, they only needed to persevere for one more hour, day, week, month, eventually the protesters in American would help them to achieve a victory they knew they could not win on the battlefield. Remember, this decision was made at a time when the U.S. casualties were fewer than 10,000, at the end of 1967, beginning of 1968.

So that means that Old Walter, The Most Trusted Man In America, was responsible for at least 40,000 deaths in Viet Nam. I hate Cronkite and people like him.

<> General Distribution <> - Article and background on Participant Productions’s Diane Weyermann, who is a major George Soros and Soros Shadow Party player as it relates to all his/their fraudulent crap-fest movies, in my humble and free speech opinion. – FlA

============

New Doc Leader at Participant: Diane Weyermann
Documentary Online Magazine
Dec 05/Jan06 Issue

Diane Weyermann was recently appointed to the newly created position of Executive Vice President of Documentary Production at Participant Productions ( Good Night and Good Luck; Murderball; The World According to Sesame Street ). Weyermann comes to Participant from the Sundance Institute, where she was director of the Documentary Film Program. Prior to Sundance, Weyermann developed and directed the Soros Documentary Fund (SDF) of George Soros's Open Society Institute, which supported international documentary films and videos dealing with contemporary human rights issues, social justice, civil liberties and freedom of expression. Documentary caught up with Weyermann as she was beginning her new job as Participant, and asked her a few questions about where she's been and her new gig.

Documentary: What did you experience at Sundance that will most inform you in your new position at Participant Productions?

Diane Weyermann: Sundance is an extraordinary place and I feel privileged to have been part of the Institute for the past four and a half years. I benefited greatly from working in such a creative and supportive environment, and from my amazing colleagues whose commitment and leadership in their fields is truly inspiring.

D: What were some of the highlights of both your time with the Sundance Institute Documentary Program and the Open Society Institute?

DW: There are so many. I could certainly point to the launching of specific programs at both institutions. At OSI, we launched the Soros Documentary Fund back in 1996. Next year it celebrates its 10th anniversary and to date over 300 amazing films from around the world have been completed. And at Sundance, I'd say the launching of the Documentary LabsEdit and Storytelling, and the Documentary Composer's Lab. Being able to give creative support at these crucial stages is immensely important, and the extraordinary added-benefit of building community through the labs.

D: Sundance has always been a huge supporter of documentaries, with its commitment to nonfiction growing over the last several years as new doc programming sections have been added to the festival and new initiatives have become part of the institute. As you leave Sundance behind, where do you see both the festival and the institute heading in the doc world?

DW: The commitment to documentary has been there for years and is as strong as ever. There is no question that both the Documentary Program and the festival will continue to forge new ground in this evolving field. I am excited about the prospects of future initiatives and look forward to being involved and supporting their vision in whatever way possible.

D: You've been in the unusual position of having been able to fund a large number of projects. What is it that makes you spark to a project?

DW: I look for a unique passionate voice, integrity and a creative approach to the story. And of course the storytelling must be compelling, illuminating and engaging and resonate with audiences.

D: In some ways, Participant's mission seems very similar to that of both the Sundance and Soros funds; however, where Soros and Sundance were nonprofit organizations, Participant is making films for the commercial marketplace. How do you anticipate that this will affect your work and the choices you make about which projects to either develop or acquire?

DW: The basic work is the same. Be it Soros, or Sundance, or now Participant Productions, the challenge is to identify and support high-quality, compelling documentaries, dealing with crucial issues confronting our present and our future that will resonate with audiences. The capacity to support purely creative, artistic work that might not reach a significant audience is limited, but certainly not impossible.

If documentaries are to survive in the theatrical marketplace, we have to find a way to produce and distribute them so that they will generate a profit. I've always believed there is an audience for compelling stories and powerful films, be they fiction or docs; the key is to identify that work early on, support it, and then get it out to the most significant audience possible.

D: If you could pass along one piece of advice to filmmakers about applying for the Sundance Fund or coming to Participant with a project, what would it be? Is there a mistake you see made over and over again?

DW: Please go to the websites and read the specific submission requirements. It's surprising how often we receive funding requests for projects that do not fit the mandate. Please research before submitting, and if you apply be sure you include the materials required. You can always e-mail or call if you're not sure whether your project is appropriate, but the website is the best starting point.

# # #

See Related Article
George Soros and the Sundance Kid
Front Page Magazine (5 Stars - FlA)
by David Yeagley
February 7, 2005

Posted for FlAttorney by TAB

Hubby and I saw the movie last night and enjoyed it. This one and Michael Clayton are our two favorites this year. We are glad we watched the HC documentary first. It made the movie easier to understand.

When Wilson returned from Pakistan, Joanne Herring announced that everything was in place to give President Zia a reception he world never forget. At vast expense she had the main dining hall of the Houstonian Hotel turned into an exotic vision of a Pakistani palace. The heads of all the major oil companies had accepted, along with a surprising number of other CEO's from the Fortune 500. As she saw it, this was to be his coming-out party, designed to introduce America to the real Zia-ul-Haq. [snip] The event resembled one of those typical charity balls, which always seem to end with droning, laudatory speeches. But Joanne Herring had summoned her powerful friends for a purpose, and when she rose to introduce the Pakistani leader, she had a surprise for them: "I want you all to know that President Zia did not kill Bhutto." [exact line stated in the movie by Julia Roberts] Baroness di Portanova could not believe her ears. She knew how much Joanne liked the president, but she winced as her fellow Minute-woman proceeded to deliver an impassioned defense of Zia's role in the hanging of his predecessor, the former Pakistan president, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto.

Is there anymore in the book on this? Can you post it for us? Thank you for the pings. You all are the best!

Upcoming movie : Al Gore

Taglines :
When nobody was looking he changed the world

Based on a true story. You think we could make all this up?

A lot of nerve. Who said he couldn’t break Analog Telecom Empire and conquer Digital Divide?

Favorite scenes :

"My name is Al Gore. People call me Al Gore."

"People know me as the former next President of the United States."

"During my service in the United States Congress, I took the initiative in creating the Internet." ... "People said I invented the Internet."

"I invented the environment."

Verdict :
Five thumbs up, and as many Golden Globe awards.

~ ~ ~

Sequel [proposed - mm/dd/yy, in production - mm/dd/yy] :

Plot outline :
After changing the world as we know it by getting funding and inventing the Internet, Al Gore topped that accomplishment by crossing the bridge to Twenty First Century and inventing man-made Global Warming.

Taglines [proposed] :
When nobody was looking he changed the world

Based on a true story. You think we could make all this up?

A lot of nerve. Who said he couldn’t form Scientific Consensus, break Religious Zealots Empire and conquer the Environment?

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