Filmmaker Stone Praises Hugo Chavez

Filmmaker Oliver Stone said he sees Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez as an energetic, principled champion of change in Latin American and hopes to capture the spirit of his drive to roll back U.S. influence in an upcoming documentary.

After two weeks of filming in Venezuela and elsewhere in South America, Stone said Thursday night that he probably has enough material "for two documentaries."

"The film's about the spirit of the changes in South America," Stone told The Associated Press in an interview. "It's to capture the spirit of this thing, which frankly is huge. ... There is something going on here, and it's outside the IMF, it's outside American control - that's what interests me."

Chavez takes the lead in the film, Stone said, "but the supporting cast is enormous."

Stone also interviewed Chavez's left-leaning allies in Argentina, Paraguay, Ecuador and Bolivia - all of whom have participated, he said, in the region's "liberation from the United States."

The 62-year-old filmmaker accompanied Chavez to the lot where his grandmother's house once stood, and to political rallies where he connected with crowds of admirers.

"The pure energy of the man is intoxicating," Stone said.

In their interviews, Chavez discussed world affairs, the oil business, socialism and independence hero Simon Bolivar - the inspiration of his movement.

"This is what I like about Chavez: He's a big man, he thinks big," said Stone, who described the Venezuelan president as a "world-changer."

The changes he has helped lead, Stone said, are "sweeping all over the place."

"Bolivar is back."

The Oscar-winning director said the documentary, as yet untitled, should be released in a matter of months. The film follows "W.", Stone's critical biopic about President George W. Bush.

The director said he hopes President-elect Barack Obama takes a different approach toward Latin America and "should meet with Chavez."

[albo58]

Stone is a complete fool to sing the praises of this charlatan! Chavez is a power-hungry thug who will eventually get what''s coming to him by his own people. Stone like Michael Moore are liberal swine that prey on society''s weak-minded for their own gain and feeling of self-worth. Don''t be swindeled, both are idiots!

[jamster31]

Hollywood seems to love Chavez. I guess this country didn''t treat people like Stone, Penn and Glover right. Poor guys. I wish they''d just move there and never come back. No one would miss them.

[ginger20051]

Maybe Stone should live the part. He can start by giving up all his wealth and living a life of the common man, working 50-60 hours a week just to eat. His view might just change a little then. Remember, socialism does not allow riches.

[changethis09]

He would. Who is this idiot Stone, anyway.

[scottyusa]

Hey Stone maybe if Chavez is so great you should move closer to him. Yeah "intoxicating" is a good decription. Makes me wanna puke.

[whitemale08]

The same SPECTACULAR FRAUD perpetrated against Venezuela under President Carlos Andres Perez, who still lives somewhere in Miami as a rich oligarch, was done by the same banks who are looting us RIGHT NOW!

Hugo Chavez comes into power to help the poor like Obama comes into power to help the poor.

Venezuelan ex-President Carlos Andres Perez was hailed by the U.S. and British interests and you heard no criticism from junkyard dogs Druggie Limbaugh and Sean Hannity, and yet he personally used both of his hands to LOOT the COUNTRY!!!

Venezuela is Soveriegn under Hugo Chavez.

Hugo Chavez won both elections in the biggest landslide victories since democracy began in Venezuela in 1958.

It''s time to respect the sovereignty of Venezuela like countries around the world are doing, Russia, China, Iran, Zimbabwe, Cuba etc.

Any disrespect for the sovereignty of Venezuela is a trait of ''empire'' and a falling empire at that.

[whitemale08]

Venezuela is a Sovereign Nation-State once again.

His predecessors were nothing but stooges for Wall Street that used LTC (Long Term Capital) to loot Venezuela and suck out the countries wealth for rich Venezuelans living in luxury and in Miami.

Venezuelans living in Miami are more wealthy then the avereage American. But the poor have had no President for years.

Chavez is the first President for the ''poor'' in Venezuela and regardless of what critics say, they are just mad that they no longer have a corrupt Wall Street/City of London stooge in their favor.

Hugo Chavez is actually helping poor American families with home heating oil and yet critics want to continue to demonize them.

You would think that junkyard dogs like Sean Hannity and Druggie Limbuagh would be gratefull but no no no, they demonize him still.

If critics here in the U.S. hate Chavez so much then why don''t they demand that George Bush change the Constitution so he can be ''President for Life''?

[marty1729]

Chavez seeks the status of dictator. His agenda will remove all vestiges of freedom from his country. Haven''t we learned from history?
Castro, Napoleon, Hitler, Pol Pot, Stalin, etc. are cut from the same cloth as Chavez. Stone is going to give us a distorted picture of this dangerous man thereby making it harder to see the threat he represents.

[marty1729]

Chavez seeks the status of dictator. His agenda will remove all vestiges of freedom from his country. Haven''t we learned from history?
Castro, Napoleon, Hitler, Pol Pot, Stalin, etc. are cut from the same cloth as Chavez. Stone is going to give us a distorted picture of this dangerous man thereby making it harder to see the threat he represents.

[marty1729]

Chavez seeks the status of dictator. His agenda will remove all vestiges of freedom from his country. Haven''t we learned from history?
Castro, Napoleon, Hitler, Pol Pot, Stalin, etc. are cut from the same cloth as Chavez. Stone is going to give us a distorted picture of this dangerous man thereby making it harder to see the threat he represents.