Charlie Wilson's War Directed by Mike Nichols

Charlie Wilson's War Directed by Mike Nichols

Charlie Wilson’s War
Directed by Mike Nichols
1. Framing of the movie:
A. How has the director chosen to frame the movie? What is the opening scene and the closing scene?
The director attempts to get the United States Congress to begin funding and educating the Afghan people following the retreat of the Soviets. Opening Scene in Las Vegas
B. What is Charlie Wilson getting an award for?
Charlie (Tom Hanks) receiving an award from the U.S. Clandestine Services, an honor that will eventually take on a sense of irony.
C. What agency is giving it to him? I’ll give you this one: In the opening scene, Charlie Wilson is receiving a medal  for his work for the Clandestine Services.  Clandestine means secret.  It is a reference to the CIA (Central Intelligence Agency).

Note: The movie in between these 2 scenes returns to 1980.  
2. Mujahadeen: Remember that Laila’s brothers were mujahadeen. Who are the mujahadeen?
Who Armed Mujahideen Calls for Withdrawal Before War in Afghanistan Becomes
3. Gust Avrakotos—the Phillip Seymour Hoffman role-- quite a character
A. Who does he work for? "I've been with "the company" for 24 years...  " What do they mean by “the company?”
he work for the Department of Agriculture
B/ Why is he so mad at his boss that he tells him “to go f*** himself” and then smashes his glass wall for the second time? Why is shunted off into some silly job instead of being the bureau chief in Finland which he had been preparing for?

C. What is he like? How would you describe him?
Gust Avrakotos , he looking on as Charlie Wilson gets the glory. ‘The grey man, so used to operating in the shadows, recognised that once again he would have to sit back and let Charlie take the honours for both of them.
4. Joanne Herring – the Julia Roberts character (also quite a character)
A. What motivates her? Why is she so passionate about this war?
In real life, Joanne Herring served as honorary consul to...

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