Hollywood's Bening hopes to help mend US-Iran ties

AFP ^ | March 1, 2009

[Free ThinkerNY]

TEHRAN (AFP) — Top US film actress Annette Bening, in Iran as part of a Hollywood delegation, said on Sunday she hoped their presence in the country can help to kick-start talks between arch-foes Washington and Tehran.

"I hope that we can be a bridge to open a dialogue between the two countries", Bening, wearing a black traditional hejab and headscarf, told reporters.

She is part of a team of film-makers and actors from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS), the organisation which stages the annual Oscars, that is currently on a week-long visit to the Islamic republic.

The delegation is on a private initiative to stage workshops with their Iranian counterparts, a rarity in a country where the authorities brand the United States the "Great Satan."

After her brief statement, Bening and the other team members began a three-day workshop at Tehran's museum of cinema, an AFP photographer said.

The film star's remarks come a day after an aide to Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad urged the Hollywood team to apologise for "insults and slanders" dealt to Iranians in American movies.

US actresses Annette Bening (left) and Alfre Woodard (right) with Iranian actress Fatemeh Motamed Aria in Tahran

[truthguy]

Just when you think the Hollywood crowd can't get any dumber, they surpass themselves. Yes I realize that everyone is Hollywood isn't this stupid, but it seems that they have a larger percentage of true idiots than just about any other identifiable group.

I've given this considerable thought and I've come to the conclusion that Hollywood is a place where you can make it without brains. You don't have to be very bright if you can sing, dance, act, or are very good looking. If you are going to make it in Science, Engineering, Business or a variety of other professions you have to be bright for the most part.

The only other profession that I can think of where you don't have to be very bright to be successful is professional sports. The ratio of money to intelligence in Hollywood/Entertainment must be off the charts.

[Shadowstrike]

well the difference is that Shirley Temple Black left acting to become an Amb. because she was basically known, and loved around the world. If memory serves me correct she was asked to serve.

Not these types nowadays. They think they’ve got a little name recognition, and they take it upon themselves to ‘speak for the US’.

I’d pay money tho to see Shirley Temple Black tap dance all over these yahoos.

[irishtenor]

Ya mean Sean Penn isn’t loved around the world??????? :>)
From BS telling us how we should hang our wet clothes outside on a line, to the multitudes that broke their promises to leave the country if George Bush were elected, to Sheryl Crow telling us to use 4 squares of TP, I am getting sick of these idiots

[Rastus]

They can’t get too outraged since they’d love to see this done to Prop. 8 supporters.

[gunner03]

And who appointed these?