Stephen Gaghans Syriana - Book Report/Review Example

Syriana Stephen Gaghan’s Syriana (2005 is a loose adaptation of Robert Baer’s play “See No Evil2” and subverts the archetypal Hollywood narrative to present an unbiased insight into the intrinsic complexities of the oil industry. The trajectory unfolds against the backdrop of the oil industry and the politics of petroleum. The story is divided into parallel narratives from the perspective of contrasting characters to provide an insight into different aspects of the oil industry. In particular, Gaghan specifically utilises the contrasts between these differing viewpoints to underline the main themes of the film, namely; international corruption, cartels and the issue of corporate social responsibility. Gaghan described his inspiration for the film beginning with his work on Traffic3, where he felt that America’s dependency on foreign oil had distinct similarities with drug addiction. Indeed, a fundamental issue reiterated in Syriana is how the role of oil is central to US policy towards the Middle East and the US position within the contemporary framework of international relations. In turn, the relationship between Matt Damon’s character Bryan Woodman and Prince Nasir also presents a different insight into Middle Eastern politics through Prince Nasir’s frustration at American control in the area and his desire to undertake national reform and develop the economy for sustainability in the long term. Additionally, the increasing work of Bryan Woodman’s character with the Prince comes at the sacrifice of his marriage due to the death of Bryan’s son. Bryan’s payment of $175 million from the Prince and role as economic advisor causes his wife to accuse him of exploiting his son’s death for commercial gain. To this end, the death of Bryan’s son and sacrifice of his marriage is arguably symbolic of the central theme of Syriana regarding the interrelationship between oil, globalisation and the balance of power in international relations. For example, it is submitted that the oil industry symbolises the sacrifice of ethical concepts of morality as the control of oil in the Middle East is seen as fundamental to the balance of power within the international framework. This is highlighted by the American unease with Prince Nasir giving a natural gas drilling rights contract to China. The three central stories that interweave throughout the film purposively depict three very different men operating over various continents to highlight the long term and immediate consequences of pursuing wealth and power. On the one hand, George Clooney’s character Bob Barnes is betrayed by his own country to whom he was loyal and doing his duty as a CIA operative. Bob’s discovery of the assassination attempt on Prince Nasir and finding out why he was depicted as a rogue agent not only leads to his personal salvation, but it also serves to highlight the US’ primary interest being to secure and maintain power over petroleum in the Middle East at all costs. It further highlights the unilateralist approach of the US to foreign policy and affairs where the national interest as a whole justifies the means, which in this case is betrayal of a loyal CIA agent acting on behalf of his country. To this end, Bob’s narrative highlights the impact of the global corruption in the oil industry from an individual’s perspective, which engages the audience directly and provides a novel perspective on petroleum politics. Similarly, Gaghan highlights the individual impact of the oil industry through Wasim’s storyline. Wasim’s storyline not only highlights the reliance on the oil industry for employment, but it also shows how the battle for power at the top impacts the little person trying to feed their families at the bottom. In turn, Wasim’s narrative operates to offer a lateral perspective on terrorism and motive in order to highlight the intrinsic complexities of the terrorism phenomenon and the multiple causal factors. For example, Wasim is desperate for work and has come from Pakistan with his father but cannot get work due to the language barrier. In his desperation for food and shelter he is then exploited by a fundamental cleric whose objective is to undertake a suicide attack on Connex-Killen tanker. Whilst Wasim and Bob’s narratives depict them as pawns in the overall battle for power in the oil industry, the corporate lawyer Bennett Holiday’s viewpoint in the questionable merger and corruption not only highlights the reality of international corruption in corporate transactions; it further highlights the dichotomy between commercial interests and application of ethics and corporate social responsibility in business. To this end, each parallel narrative in Syriana operates as a microcosm of the multiple issues raised by the global oil industry. Furthermore, in presenting snapshots of corruption and challenges to preconceived assumptions about terrorism and the oil industry, Syriana highlights the complexity of the international relations framework and how the main issue at the heart of diplomatic relations between the US and the Middle East is oil. This is utilised as a backdrop to highlight the numerous interests at play along with the reality of global corruption both at government and business level. Arguably, Gaghan highlights through the characterisation of the idealistic prince how it arguably suits the US for there to be continued conflict in the Middle East in order to ensure its continued stronghold and dominance in the region to control oil under the guise of peacemaking. Additionally, the use of the backdrop of the oil industry in the film is the sole factor unifying the three central narratives in the film. In using this through the parallel narratives, flashbacks and differing locations; serves to highlight the juxtaposition of those controlling the oil industry and those impacted by it as effects as exemplified by Bob and Wasim. Indeed, the contrasting narratives reflect the different lives operating within the hierarchical chain of the global oil industry, which in turn serves to define societal status and economic survival. Accordingly, the merger story and the depiction of the workers on the plant also serve to highlight two aspects of globalisation. On the one hand, there is the development of the oil industry and battle for contracts, which in turn leads to employment opportunities. However, on the other hand the corruption and poor working conditions demonstrates that commercial expansion of the oil industry has fuelled inequality at worker level as highlighted by Wasim and his father. Overall, Gaghan’s Syriana can be confusing as at times the flashbacks and continual location changes can create a lack of order. Additionally, the use of multiple narratives also impacts character development throughout the film, leaving many questions unanswered. On the other hand, it is arguably these continuous questions that enables the audience to engage in the film and enables Syriana to be so effective in presenting a lateral perspective of the multiple factors impacting the global operation of the oil industry. In turn, this results in Syriana being an eye opener through revealing some uncomfortable truths about the real issues influencing foreign policy and international relations and forces the audience to challenge some preconceptions. References Baer, Robert. See No Evil: The True Story of a Ground Solider in the CIA’s War Against Terrorism. Three Rivers Press, 2003. Gaghan, Stephen. Syriana, Warner Brothers, 2005 Gaghan, Stephen, Traffic, USA Films 2000 Read More