Of Syriana...for real this time...

I just realized that I said Of Syriana in the last post, but completely forgot to make mention of what I intended.

Syriana is a film of deep implications and possesses a dark charm that compels the viewer to rethink the way world politics is handled, that is, of course, provided that the viewer currently possesses a way of thinking about world politics and the way they are handled.

At first glance the easy reaction is to do the film the gross injustice of brushing it off as one more attempt by Hollywood to raise its star-studded fist (George Clooney and Matt Damon for starters, Christopher Plumber and Bill Cooper as well) and paint an over-imagined landscape of intrigue with the US Government at the helm of deceit and evil. If you don't like this country, then leave. We all have felt that way at some point or another towards the entertainment elite.

However, when viewed through the perspective that this country is not at all the lone saint and champion of all that is good and sacred, that there are evil men afoot, and that things are not always what they seem, then Syriana rises above the usual political protest clamor and sets itself apart as the spokespiece of 'mostly-truth'.

I say 'mostly-truth' because I am not so naive as to believe that every aspect of the film is true to fact or reality.

So what is it about? Oil/US Government interests clash with oil-rich Middle East Royalty, who is bent on reform of his country, which would be at the detriment of Western willpower. It provides a glimpse into the mind of the violent Muslim (as opposed to the peaceful Muslim, they do exist), and into the workings of behind-closed-doors US foreign policy of the last fifty years, with a focus on king-making and CIA assassination programs.

It is intense at times, of great depth (and sometimes a little difficult to follow) and 100% worth watching and digesting. It isn't a mind vacation.

There you have it. This is what I intended with 'Of Syriana'.