Thanks to heddaparsons and nothingreallymatters for letting me know about this. To read the full article from the LA Times go HERE.
Iranian dissident Akbar Ganji arrived in town this week to an intimate gathering that included just about every politically active leading man around. Warren Beatty, Brad Pitt, Sean Penn, Mark Ruffalo and Jake Gyllenhaal attended the reception at producer Mike Medavoy's Beverly Hills estate Wednesday night to meet Ganji, a human rights activist who was imprisoned in Iran for six years.
Ganji was unfazed by the celebrity attention, but the presence of Beatty caught Ganji's interpreter off guard. "Are you Warren Beatty? That's Warren Beatty!" she said. Medavoy, who moderated the event, joked: "None of us care." Said Beatty: "Yeah, that's for sure."
Addressing the standing-room-only crowd of about 75 people for an hour, Ganji urged complete disarmament in the Middle East. (The suggestion didn't go over well with media mogul Haim Saban, who argued that Israel needs its nuclear weapons as a deterrent.)
Ganji responded to Saban: "The only way is to ban the bombs for everyone."Pitt (clad in black) had to leave the event early — making a bit of a ruckus when he raced off on his motorcycle.
Penn, looking like a workaday actor in a rumpled blue suit, thanked Ganji for coming, saying people need to hear his message of non-violence. Ruffalo agreed. "This has put a whole new face on Iran for me," the actor said. "It deepens it and makes it more human."
After the speech, Ruffalo and Gyllenhaal retired to Medavoy's screening room, where they watched trailers for "All the King's Men" (starring Penn and produced by Medavoy) and their 2007 thriller, "Zodiac," about the real-life serial killer who terrorized San Francisco in the 1960s and '70s.
As the evening closed, Ganji — who is traveling the country addressing various groups — said he believed it was essential to meet with the Hollywood crowd. "I'm here to have a conversation," he said.
I'm not entirely sure what to make of this. It seems a little left-field. They sat and listened to an Iranian dissendent for over an hour and then watched trailers for their own movies?
61 comments:
Yeah, I thought that was a bit odd too. All the Kings Men is a political movie but Zodiac? Maybe it would have made more sense if they had the screenings on a different day. I mean it's great that they had a reception and I'm happy to hear that Jake was invited and he is politcally aware but still. It would have been better if they screened a movie made by a dissdent Iranian filmaker. Oh well, HW does have a strange way of doing things sometimes.
Yeah the "watching their own trailers" bit was a bit left field but I think Medavoy produced or had an involvement with both movies and since it was at his home and he does have a screening room they watched it, lol. However, I think it was an important and glad Jake was a co-host of the event. From the Independent.
The 47-year-old investigative journalist and reform advocate was treated as a bit of a star himself as he addressed a carefully selected crowd of about 80 people at the Beverly Hills spread of the veteran producer, Mike Medavoy. He spoke through an interpreter for about an hour, before taking questions from some familiar faces.
It was indeed Warren Beatty, along with his wife, Annette Bening. And the man in the crumpled blue suit was indeed Sean Penn, one of the evening's co-hosts. Jake Gyllenhaal - of Brokeback Mountain and Jarhead fame - was there, so was Just Like Heaven's Mark Ruffalo, and so -- was Brad Pitt.
This does seem so typically Hollywood, doesn't it? You've got your basic political awareness, your screening of upcoming films, and Jake wandering around in there, meeting the powerful people, the handsome actors who've leveraged their looks & some good parts into really amazing careers. Good to see him in that company. He belongs there.
What I want to know is, how will "World Trade Center" do on its first weekend? Is it going to be adversely affected by the elevated alert level?
Thanks anonymous
The testiest moment came when Haim Saban, the billionaire television producer and prominent Democratic Party fundraiser, challenged Mr Ganji's assertion that the US has to stop its one-sided support of Israel.
Why did the article stop here, I wonder?. I would have loved to know how Mr Ganji, and indeed the hollywood guys responded.
Simon, I so agree with your take on the Bush administration. Sadly it looks like we are heading for war world III, precipitated by a president who seems to think with his armoury first.
Oops, correction, re-reading the blurb, Jake was an attendee but not a co-host of the event.
However, I think it was great that he was at such an event.
Anon 8:00
kokodee, I hope you are not implying that the US support of Isreal is one-sided?
And to Simon: the Bush administration is not responsible for the many real threats we are facing at the hands of these hate-filled fanactics. I love jake's work and think he's a fantastic actor, but he should stick to acting. Hanging around these self serving liberals will only hurt him in the long-run.
Jake's political beliefs are one of the reasons I love him so much!
He actually had a choice. Watch Paris Hilton table dance or hang with Mike Medavoy. Good on you, Jakey! Sounds like Mark and Jake hung around after the gathering to look at trailers. I can understand why the translator was all like, wow! Is this Warren Beatty? Too much botox'll do that.
8:28am I agree. Someone needs to e-mail this story to Casablanca to let him know that Jake has more important things to do then go ho-chasing with Matt and Lance in Miami. Of course this bit will never make it into his column.
8:36. actually I don't think the story should be emailed to Ted. He always frinds a way to mock Jake and twist whatever he is doing. Ugh, hate Ted!
8:45 Yeah, why do the work of his interns. Besides if it doesn't involve sex, he isn't interested.
Agree, SimonAgent 002!
anon. 8.20.
I have my own thoughts on the US-Israel deal, which, in the light of recent events will not be appropraite to comment on.
However I think you're being overly simplistic in your analysis. It is not a simple case of the good guy taking on the bad guys as Simon has so eloquently put it. A lot of this mess would have been handled a lot better by a foward thinking, diplomacy seeking administration.
Interestingly, I agree with you somewhat on your self serving liberals tirade. A part of me gets very uncomforatble watching old school hollywood wax lyrical on any kind of politics. However there is a sincerity (I think) with Jake (and his family) that dosen't seem to be there with beatty and penn.
Just my 2 cents.
Sorry for the double post. I'm very heartened whenever I see people engaged. I'm especially impressed with people who are open to educating themselves. Being a celebrity doesn't mean you have to turn off your brain or forego you right as a citizen to participate at any level you chose. My goodness! Even an actor can grow up to be president!
75 people there, but only the attractive men were mentioned. Medavoy doesn't like women? Hey, Ted. . . .
75 people there, but only the attractive men were mentioned. Medavoy doesn't like women?
Lol! Anon.
Indeed where are the women? Conspiracy?
I think so.
hmm. when it comes down to it, it is still a case of the US protecting itself and defending its allies against these fanactics who have decreed a jihad on all non-muslims.
and I am suprised and ashamed as a westerner that you would think any differently
Someone put this piece up on a Jake forum and at the bottom of the post added a quote from 'US Magazine report' - almost to lighten the mood!
'Heath Ledger and Michelle Williams dining on chicken marsala and red wine at Il Sole the same night that Jake Gyllenhaal sipped strawberry bellinis with Mark Ruffalo and Brett Ratner, and Ed Norton dropped by to sample the lobster ravioli'
Nothing to do with the original subject, but as it was added to that, I thought I'd just add it to this! :-)
You know, I was going to make a totally bitchy comment in response to your very short-sighted post. But hey thank god for simon and his class.
'cause with you anon. I'm not sure I would have any!
there is nothing shortsighted about my view!!
im sorry if i came on to strong about you guys being ashamed, but i can't see how you can blame anyone for taking action against these murderers, who are not above killing their own people to push their agenda.
consider this. The UK's government is obviously not conservative, but they support the Bush administration's decisions on global terrorism even if they are both on polar opposites of the political scale.
simply put, it is a war that needs to be fought. and deserves support from anybody with a single iota of decency in their body.
Can you extend the olive branch of good will and defend yourself at the sametime?
This is not the place to spew a raging argument on politics, so i'll keep it brief.
I don't think both sides are entirely blameless. You can never defend a terrorist's actions, but you need to understand the reasoning behind it to develop any kind of long-term strategy. I think you will find that marginilasation and poverty spewed by capitalist greed have a key part to play. The trigger happy approach displayed by some of the western leaders only allows for more resentment and distrust. Where will it end?
PS: it is a rhetorical question because I have no intention of furthering this argument.
Also: (from "the Defamer"):
· Sat 8-5 Barney's men's department. Jake Gyllenhaal inquiring about the contents of a sunglasses case, with a tall, hot brunette chick, shoulder length hair. He then thanked the salesperson and walked away without making a purchase. It was electrifying politics and erotic in the same pack?
I think the entire political discussion they had just needed something more lighten afterwards,so they must have thought..
"..hmm..the truth is Gyllenhaal is the best looking guy on screen,so we should def see that..oh,but wait..we're at Medavoy's now..we should probably fit him in the programme as well..Ok,we'll do them both!Popcorn and Coke for everybody!(Jake,you did buy them along with those useless groceries,did you?..Jake!)"
Or something like that.
Oh, please! If people wants to debate politics let them go to innumerable news and political websites and fight it out there. Most political opinions are tiresome, boring and very stupid, and there are people who can argue better in other websites. Can't people just stick to arguing about something more fascinating like, well, is Jake looking pissed in the other pap pics in IHJ so we can do the bingo?
Most political opinions are tiresome, boring and very stupid, and there are people who can argue better in other websites
I think here there are informed and opinioned people whose points of view are so valid as another discussion forums.
True, kendra. But there are more pressing matters at hand. Such as the conspiracy of the missing women? Where was annette benning? robin wright-penn? and most importantly hot tall brunette??
I believe it was tall hot brunette chick with shoulder length hair.
Details, ladies, details!
I think here there are informed and opinioned people whose points of view are so valid as another discussion forums.
I'm sure they are, but one man's informed opinion is just another man's mad jaundiced rant, and from my point of view they are mostly tedious claptrap. I can assured you that I have very strong opinions on many topics that are guaranteed to annoy/upset/inflame most people, but I rather express them somewhere else. Besides, it's hard to concentrate on the gorgeousness of Jake when others are insisting on prattling on about the Middle East crisis. And I need my daily dose of Jake!
I'm a huge fan of the book, ALL THE KING'S MEN by Robert Penn Warren. When I heard they'd cast Sean Penn for the role of the governor, I was like'what!?!?!' Then I saw the trailer. It looks like Sean hits another grand slam. I'm really looking forward to it! Since they've pushed and pushed the date of Zodiac, I wonder when they'll start screening the trailers in theatres. Soon I hope.
They sat and listened to an Iranian dissendent for over an hour and then watched trailers for their own movies
O'm feeling mean today i would have done nether! Why would you watch your own film trailer! He must have seen it a 100 times!
Okay so i would watch Jake's trsiler, just not my own if i could help it!
Simon,I'm worried about the same thing. We don't only have Frank,but a Hobo as well.Now what are the odds to catch him again with something like that? I'm afraid it will take several years..we'll get old..laws against paparazzi shots will be given..and nobody will ever have the chance to scream 'BINGO!!'
Unless we disguise into those characters and run all over Hollywood so the paps can't miss us. It's worth considering..
Of course! And then we'll post the pics at IHJ,tell Bits about them and everything will be pure!The bingo will achieve its final destination. PG has to do no wrong,though.This is a one-shot thing we got goin' on here.
You do have a point..actually,it would have been easier for me if Brits put instead of a giant rabbit,a vampire thing.You know,we do have a history with that Dracula.I guess I could do some research..a Frank or The Frank must have visited this place..or will visit.I'm SURE I can find some pics.
Yeah,pics were made,haven't see them yet.But now that you've mentioned..I might have seen in the dark,on that beach,something that looked like a giant rabbit..we may have the proof already,Simon.We just have to wait for those pictures.I have to warn you,though.I'm nothing like this Bondish girl here..
I'll have to go now. I've convinced my sister to watch Donnie Darko! HUge success! Good night all.
Good night, Mrs Dalloway -and everyone else- time to sleep, or sleepwalking lack thereof, August 26ºC nights get me sweaty insomniac.
I don't know Simon! Maybe she was with me!
I'm not going to voice any of my political opinions, as they are very strong and likely to offend someone, somewhere, but I will say that I have had a crappy day and can we get some kinda hot Jake pic up...PLEASE??? *cries*
I don't want to voice my political opinions for the same reason as gin but I will say that I'm curious about what is going on with the world for the past six months while all eyes have been on two of the smallest countries in it. I mean my eyes have been on Jakey because the world stage is too depressing but while the two New Jersey sized countries fight, I wonder what heinous craziness has been going on elsewhere.
Hollywood is a bizarre place.
Hollywood is a bizarre place.
Real Life is an even more bizarre place, my friend ... so when we go to the movies, is it life imitating art, or art imitating life? :-)
Ooo, a leave for one night and we have ourselves a political debate! ha! and they say we speak 'fluff'.
As for that Defamer thing - I'm writing it off - wouldn't trust that sighting as far as I could throw it - plus, Jake with woman - not on my watch!!
He was drinking strawberry bellinis with Mark Ruffalo where he should have been!
Brits, my view of JW shows a loss of the banner heading and some pic of a frog saying that the bandwidth has been exceeded ... is this my laptop having a blue fit, or Blogger being bloggish, or what?
I'm sorry to interject with another politics-related post, but to Anonymous:
"The UK's government is obviously not conservative, but they support the Bush administration's decisions on global terrorism"
I just wanted to add that although the UK government supports Bush's global terrorism strategy, a clear majority of British people do not. Outside the U.S. it's relatively rare to find people who support the Bush administration's 'war on terror' - are they all without 'an iota of decency' or shame too? Actually, don't answer that! ;)
Back to Jake..! :)
does anyone care that poor Miss Bearded Lady is slowly
shriveling up from dehydration?
I thought you had shriveled up from something else altogether...I mean it is wonder that you're still talking at your age.
Shall I call Jake, have him bring some of that San Pellegrino over to you, dear TBL? It's a Sunday, slow day in Hollywood, you know. He's probably just waking up now, wondering what to do today. If It's a toss up between getting all hot and sweaty biking with McBongo and that other guy, or taking San P to you, well, that's just a no-brainer. And we all know what a sweet boy he is, being nice to elderly ladies in parking lots and all ... :-)
I can't see the banner either.
^^ Assuming it's Jake that's turned into a frog, and not the whole Jake Watch harem, well then ... me, me, me, I'll take care of it, all the rest of you just BACK OFF!!!!
Maybe the missing banner is something to do with BPB updating the site? Hmmm?
hurry before he hops away!
hey,Cina!Nice to see you again!
Can't see it either.I think Brits is having another creative Sunday ;)
Just make sure it's really Jake! The last time I kissed a frog, it turned into James Coburn...after he did "Affliction."
Hi mrs_dalloway! It's nice to be back again. :-)
And I'm willing to give the kissing a chance too.
*SMMMMMAAAACCCCKKKK!*
Ah, bummer. Still a frog. *sigh*
Hey Frank, Cina, you can't kiss the computer, sillies *rolls eyes* .... got to do it in person. Relax, I'm onto it guys. :-) And don't even THINK about Angiewhatserface - double duh!!
It make take a while though, cos, you know, once that first frog-changing kiss has done the trick, turned him back into Jake, well, I think I'll just have to keep kissing for a while, just in case ...
Yep, the banner is fucked. I think the day I was waiting for (when imageshack whips my ass) is finally here.
Hey Frank, Cina, you can't kiss the computer, sillies *rolls eyes* .... got to do it in person.
Oh NOW you tell me!!!
Thanks Katie, that was news to me too!
OSS? Open-source software? Oh do tell TBL, was the Iranian a Linux geek?
You never meet the Shah did you? Oh you should write an autobiography you know, it sounds such an exciting life.
Persistence is the key. If you don't first succeed, try, try and try again.
Perhaps practicing with a spider might help.
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