- Title: USA: Actor Don Cheadle talks politics at the premiere of his new spy thriller
- Date: 27th August 2008
- Summary: NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK, UNITED STATES (AUGUST 21, 2008) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF ACTOR DON CHEADLE TALKING TO REPORTERS AT NEW YORK PREMIERE (SOUNDBITE) (English) DON CHEADLE, ACTOR, SAYING: "The story line came out of events that obviously inspire this kind of thinking and this kind of plot. It's largely a fantasy though. I don't think that the character that I play, an agent like that, exists in our government but it's still exploring these interesting ideas about faith and religion and duty to country and duty to your friends and family and what that all means. It was great to have the ability to play that in one character, that sort of encapsulates all those questions."
- Embargoed: 11th September 2008 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Usa
- Country: USA
- Reuters ID: LVA3894OO88OPX6BIEI9OUKVIOAJ
- Story Text: Don Cheadle and Guy Pearce hit the red carpet in New York for their new espionage thriller. Cheadle talks about the film and Darfur.
Don Cheadle and Guy Pearce hit the red carpet at the premiere of their new spy thriller in New York on Thursday (August 21) to talk about the film and politics as well.
'Traitor', a film about counter-espionage operations and the hunt for the mastermind of a dangerous terrorist group stars Cheadle who plays Samir Horn, a former U.S. Special Operations officer. Horn keeps audiences guessing who he really is and where his loyalties lie when he is consistently spotted at the scene of the crime.
"I don't think that the character that I play, an agent like that, exists in our government but it's still exploring these interesting ideas about faith and religion and duty to country and duty to your friends and family and what that all means," said Cheadle.
The film is based on a story by Steve Martin, usually best known for his comic roles. Martin also executive produces.
Guy Pearce plays Roy Clayton in the movie, an FBI agent who travels the globe tracking Horn's every move. His character is conflicted by Horn's true identity in a paranoid post-911 world.
"It's just a reflection of the time we're living in right now, I suppose," said Pearce. "There are many ways in which things are kind of going wrong in our life and I think a lot of them are to do with communication and taking what we believe and on some level getting stuck in what we believe and not really being able to look at what other people believe and making those two things come together," he told Reuters.
Cheadle, who has become a vocal advocate against the violence in Darfur, ever since making 'Hotel Rwanda', also wanted to talk about politics on the red carpet. Discussing the olympics in Beijing, he said he didn't fault the athletes for competing in China but he is disappointed that there has not been more protest over China's support of Sudan. In July, the president of Sudan was indicted for war crimes and genocide in Darfur by the International Criminal Court.
"I do believe what's happening in Darfur should have at least had as high a place as medals. We'll see. It's not over but I'd wish there had been a little bit more connectivity," said Cheadle.
Joining them on the red carpet was singer Busta Rhymes, actress Aubry O'Day and model Liya Kebede. "Traitor", which also features Jeff Daniels opens in theatres on August 27. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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