Tuesday, August 30, 2005

"Penn's arrogance slighted talented filmmaker host":
"Editor -- Would someone please tell Sean Penn that it is the height of arrogance to interview a world-renowned filmmaker without first becoming familiar with his work ("Sean Penn in Iran," Aug. 24)? For Penn's information, Abbas Kiarostami has won awards at Cannes and other film festivals for "Taste of Cherry" and "Where Is the Friend's Home?" and is a leader in an Iranian industry that has produced such other masterpieces as "The Cyclist," "The Circle," "Children of Heaven" and "The White Balloon." Copies of all those films should be available in any video outlet in Penn's neighborhood. By the way, just who is Penn -- director? Actor? Gaffer?"