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July 25, 2002
The morning found me miles away
INTERVIEWER
Deputy minister, what do you believe
is behind this recent increase in
terrorist bombings?
HELPMANN
Bad sportsmanship. A ruthless
minority of people seems to have
forgotten certain good old fashioned
virtues. They just can't stand seeing
the other fellow win. If these people
would just play the game, instead of
standing on the touch line heckling -
INTERVIEWER
In fact, killing people -
HELPMANN
- In fact, killing people - they'd
get a lot more out of life.
INTERVIEWER
Mr. HELPMANN, what would you say to
those critics who maintain that the
Ministry Of Information has become
too large and unwieldy ...?
HELPMANN
David ... in a free society
information is the name of the game.
You can't win the game if you're a
man short.
INTERVIEWER
And the cost of it all, Deputy
Minister? Seven percent of the gross
national produce ...
HELPMANN
I understand this concern on behalf
of the tax-payers. People want value
for money and a cost-effective
service.
HELPMANN
That is why we always insist on the
principle of Information Retrieval
Charges. These terrorists are not
pulling their weight, and it's
absolutely right and fair that those
found guilty should pay for their
periods of detention and the
Information Retrieval Procedures used
in their interrogation.
INTERVIEWER
Do you think that the government is
winning the battle against
terrorists?
HELPMANN
On yes. Our morale is much higher
than theirs, we're fielding all their
strokes, running a lot of them out,
and pretty consistently knocking them
for six. I'd say they're nearly out
of the game.
INTERVIEWER
But the bombing campaign is now in
its thirteenth year ...
HELPMANN
Beginner's luck.
Terry Gilliam's Brazil, the Criterion Laserdisc version of which almost made me break down and buy a player.
Good thing I didn't, as I would have been quite annoyed when the DVD set with the same extras came out for about half the price. Not that I've even bothered to rent it, let alone buy it.
The story behind the movie (and various edits) makes for an interesting tale, part of which is available at How the Battle of BRAZIL Began, an excerpt from Jack Mathews' book of more-or-less the same title.
There are also a few articles about the abortive The Man Who Killed Don Quixote. Most people who had Gilliam's luck in their chosen field would seriously consider another line of work. . .
Posted by Aaron at July 25, 2002 09:53 AM
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