Obama backs The Age of Stupid

05/03/2009

Actor says White House wants to see climate change film

President Barack Obama’s green credentials have been bolstered again this week after it was revealed the White House requested a preview screening of new environmental warning movie The Age Of Stupid.

The film, set in 2055, tells the story of an elderly man played by Pete Postlethwaite looking back on the havoc humans have wrecked, asking why it was not prevented by previous generations.

Postlethwaite told The Big Issue in Scotland that Obama’s people had requested an advance view of the movie. He added that Clarence House had also been in touch to get a copy over to Prince Charles.

“We have had contact from Obama’s representatives about the film, which is very exciting,” he said. “We know that Prince Charles wants a private screening at Clarence House too. We are in touch with people who have the chance to influence public opinion massively.”

Veteran Postlethwaite, best known for roles in The Usual Suspects and In The Name Of The Father, is hopeful that the new film would strike a chord with Obama. He described the new president’s election as a “significant hope that a major corner has been turned.”

The Age of Stupid is directed by celebrated documentary maker Franny Armstrong, who made her name with McLibel, and is released in the UK on March 20. The film has been an entirely “crowd funded” venture, with 223 supporters each buying shares in the film raising funds of around £450,000.
  

For a full interview with Postlethewaite and Armstrong see next week’s Big Issue, on the streets on March 12.