ROSEWATER film & dialogue with Dir/writer Jon Stewart & Steven Colbert

Jon Stewart, host of the Daily Show, known for his sharp wit & politcal lambasting, has written & directed the astonishing film ROSEWATER.  The film recounts the harrowing events of Newsweek reporter, Maziar Bahari who in June 2009, traveled back to his native country of Iran to cover the Presidential election between incumbent despot leader Ahmadinejad & opposing candidate Moussavi.  Moussavi running on a platform of reform & social change was garnering strong support from the people of Iran.  Bahari interviewed supporters of both candidates.  He also did an interview with Jason Jones for the Daily Show.  Jones interview with Bahari was irreverant & humorous; perhaps something Americans take for granted.  The election declared Ahmadinejad the winner.  Many were convinced it was a sham & their votes weren't counted.  Bahari (played convincingly by Gael Garcia Bernal) filmed the protests following the election met with military force resulting in casualities & havoc.  Bahari released his footage which ran internationally.  He was arrested shortly afterwards at the home of his mother, played by the incomparable Iranian/Amer. actress, Shoreh Aghdashloo.  The agony Bahari endured during his 118 days of solitary confinement, torture & inquestions was traumatic.  Still, Bahari's sustained an insurmountable strength & dignity.   Bahari's brutal interrogator was only known as Rosewater. This is a remarkable storytelling.  The acting is phenomenal & the cinematography puts into the scenes.  Most importantly, the film is an omnipotent weapon against oppression.  The panel discussion following the film with Stewart, Colbert & Maziar Bahari made this an exceptional & memorable event.  After Colbert's & Stewart's mutual flaggelation, a serious topical discourse of events ensued.  This question was posed to Stewart, "Didn't you feel guilty for the interview that led to Bahari's imprisonment?"  Stewart answered forthrightly, "No, but we felt immediately responsible for getting him released."   A democratic society can only thrive when allowed freedom of expression, freedom to vote and the conscientious practice of both.