Confused by Syriana? Director Gaghan More Confused Than You Are!

Today's Financial Times [regrettably offline except for expensive subscription] has a conversation on its Arts page with a fellow named Stephan Gaghan, whose photo accompanying the piece displays a louche, lanky version of Truman Capote posing languorously and sub-titled: "The radical at work:...." The interviewer is Nigel Andrews, whose tastes run towards the bizarre and off-kilter, but even Nigel seems to find Gaghan a bit much.

Much has been made of the almost non-existent plot of Syriana. The assemblage of cartoon-depth portrayals and fast action in Syriana make 24 look like Tolstoy. So many cliches, so little time! Gaghan imitates his studio detractors during production: "we're confused, we don't understand this, what are you trying to do?"

Then Gaghan explains: "We [papal?] always held that Iran was the player. Stable regime. 80 million people not 10 million. 50% of the power in government held by women, battle-tested army and intelligence."

Sounds like a Robert Fisk wannabee. Let's Fisk this confused dude with a few facts:
"Stable regime" except for an oligarcy or theocracy of universally hated clerics, especially by women. "80 m not 10 m" But, Stephan, the World Bank says 66 million for Iran, and UNICEF says that Iraq has 28 million folks, but maybe you were just rounding off. "50% of the power in govt held by women" This would be a surprise for Iran's persecuted women, but Gaghan has his own demographers at work, [and maybe surreptitiously added a zero after the 5%?] presumably. "battle-tested army" yes, and the Iranian army, when tested, succumbed to Iraq's army, which the US Army went through like hot butter. "intelligence" if Gaghan is relying on his oracular sources, he is wrong again.

Maybe Gaghan gets his facts from astrologers, with the difference being that they are occasionally right!

True to his pouty-lipped photo, he blames Steven Soderburgh who "ruined my movie" by taking a half-hour off the film to pare it down to two hours. Then Gaghan went "off the record" and "launches into a blistering attack on another significant player in Syriana" {GEE, I WONDER WHO THAT COULD BE? ARE HIS INITIALS GC?]

George Clooney looks a lot like Jack Bauer compared to this orchidaceous creature.