Skip to main content
BBC NEWS / ENTERTAINMENT
Graphics VersionBBC Sport Home
News Front Page | Africa | Americas | Asia-Pacific | Europe | Middle East | South Asia | UK | Business | Health | Science & Environment | Technology | Entertainment | Also in the news | Have Your Say |
Entertainment Contents:  Arts & Culture

Saturday, 21 April 2007, 11:02 GMT 12:02 UK

Stone to direct Iraq campaign ad

Oliver Stone Controversial film-maker Oliver Stone is to direct an advert for a campaign calling for the withdrawal of US troops from Iraq.

A US serviceman or woman, or relatives, will discuss the impact of the war in the ad, as part of the campaign by the MoveOn and VoteVets organisations.

"America needs to listen to our servicemen and women," said Stone.

The US is sending 28,000 extra troops to Iraq in a "surge" to combat the insurgency in the country.

"We have leaders in Washington who say they're 'supporting our troops' - but the people who suffer most from their policies are the troops themselves," said Stone in a statement.

"I decided to participate in this project because, as a veteran, I know that America needs to listen to our servicemen and women.

"They've been there and they know what's really going on. They need to be part of this debate."

Online vote

Stone won a Purple Heart as a US infantry private in the Vietnam War, later using his experiences as the basis for his Oscar-winning film Platoon. His career has frequently aroused controversy, with movies including Born on the Fourth of July, JFK, Natural Born Killers and World Trade Center.

The serviceman or woman or family to appear in the commercial is to be chosen from about 20 finalists in an online vote.

Videos of the candidates appear on MoveOn's website and the video-sharing site YouTube.

"Stories from veterans and family members have poured in over the past few years and we wanted to provide a platform where they could speak directly to the American people and policy-makers," said MoveOn's Nita Chaudhary.

On Friday, US President George W Bush said early indications suggested that the security surge begun in Iraq more than two months ago was "meeting expectations".




E-mail this to a friend
Related to this story:
Bush upbeat on Iraq security plan (20 Apr 07 |  Middle East )
Stone plans Afghan invasion film (17 Oct 06 |  Entertainment )
Stone blasts Bush over 9/11 role (29 Sep 06 |  Entertainment )
Hollywood films 'worshipping war' (01 Sep 06 |  Entertainment )
Mixed reaction to 9/11 film in US (11 Aug 06 |  Entertainment )

RELATED INTERNET LINKS
MoveOn
VoteVets
The White House
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites



SEARCH BBC NEWS: 

News Front Page | Africa | Americas | Asia-Pacific | Europe | Middle East | South Asia | UK | Business | Health | Science & Environment | Technology | Entertainment | Also in the news | Have Your Say |
Entertainment Contents:  Arts & Culture

NewsWatch | Notes | Contact us | About BBC News | Profiles | History

^ Back to top | BBC Sport Home | BBC Homepage | Contact us | Help | ©