Oliver Stone: “Barack Obama did not change anything decisive” – ​​Trade

Whether the Vietnam War, George W. Bush or JFK, the winner of three Oscars, Oliver Stone , always attracted political issues and, somehow, thorny.

In an interview with DPA on the occasion of the publication in German of “History muted in America” ​​(in Spanish edited The Sphere Books), American filmmaker and producer explains why houses the hope that the political situation in the country improves and why, in his opinion, Barack Obama has failed.

You’re a filmmaker, not a historian. Why would a reader should approach his vision of American history in the last 150 years

Oliver Stone : Because it’s one of the books most radical story that will find and also all true. The book serves as an accompaniment to a documentary series (“The Untold Story of America”). Both have narrated with the help of a friend who has spent 40 years teaching history at the university.

How

the idea?

It was in 2008 at the end of two terms of George W. Bush. In the United States a nasty atmosphere reigned and I happened to find out if this was something extraordinary. But it was only the continuation of a policy that began in World War II.

In his view, what defines the foreign policy of the United States?

We have no sensitivity to the history, we think only of ourselves. That’s the strangest thing about living in America. The country is geographically situated between two oceans and are curiously ignorant of what others do. The United States has a huge economic wealth, partly because of the devastation that erupted following the Second World War. But that does not give carte blanche to be arrogant or so openly intervene in other countries.

With Obama have not changed things for the better?

Obama has not changed anything decisive. Some even say ironic that solved the third and fourth term of Bush. With him continued vigilance and the fight against terrorism was expanded. States that ended two wars, but the reality is the opposite: in Iraq continues to reign a huge chaos and Afghanistan is, in my view, a failed battle. We have trained 300,000 Afghan soldiers, which has cost us money. But they are in no position to face his men to 30,000 to 40,000 Taliban.

Will this change with the next president or president?

No. Both parties (Democrats and Republicans) defend the idea of ​​empire, both defending militarism. It would be good to change the role of the United States, but Europe has also changed. In the 50s and 60s I spent much time in France and I still remember how that Europe was much more independent. But since (Ronald) Reagan wonder how much he has given up that independence. Hopefully soon have a better balance of forces. All the old empires have cracked because they thought they could do whatever they wanted.

Oliver Stone is a filmmaker, writer and producer. Hollywood Academy awarded him the Oscar three times: “Midnight Express,” “Platoon” and “Born On The Fourth Of July”

is the author, among other films, documentaries “Comandante. “about Fidel Castro,” South of the Border “and” My friend Hugo, “about Chavez.