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Clooney heads back to Darfur;
After he’s done with the dentist, Clooney heads back to Darfur; Actor continues to use his celebrity to raise awareness about famine and warfare;
William Keck
USA Today
In January, George Clooney will make his second trip to Darfur in hopes of bringing back video footage of the land ravaged by famine, disease and warfare. He’s been globetrotting, appearing recently at the Dubai Film Festival and being honoured last week (with Don Cheadle) by the Nobel Peace Laureates in Rome.
But not even a root canal could stop the Oscar winner, 46, from calling in with an update on his commitment to the troubled locale.
Q: First, how did your dental appointment fare?
A: Here’s the funny part. I got a redo of a root canal, and I thought, “Well, that’s bad.” And then (the dentist) goes, “Let’s go to work on this other tooth.” I was going to get an implant, and all of a sudden he’s in with a hammer and I lost a tooth, so I’ve got a hole in the side of my head. It’s really fun. It’s not just pain, it’s got a pulse.
Q: But you’ll be well enough by January to make your second trip to Darfur. What’s the plan?
A: I’m not a politician, so the reason I go is to (focus) attention there. So we’re going to try to get deeper into Darfur; try to get some cameras in to the tougher camps and have conversations. That’s basically all I can do. If you put famous people in front of very ugly sites, people will watch.
Q: I’m amazed you’re even allowed in.
A: If you’re the head of a country who is denying that all these things are happening, then you might welcome me in to say, “Show me all these bad things.”
Q: Is there one familiar face from your last trip whom you’re hoping to see again?
A: There was a little girl in a tiny camp in south Sudan who was holding my hand while I was throwing up from eating bad goat who didn’t look like she was going to last a year and a half. It would be nice if I saw her doing well.
Q: What has been accomplished since you and your father (Nick) spoke about Darfur on the National Mall in April 2006?
A: You want the truth? Absolutely nothing. People can march and pat each other on the back, and concerts will happen, and the simple truth is there’s still the exact same issues going on.
Q: Whom have you met with among the presidential candidates to discuss Darfur?
A: Barack (Obama) and I are very good friends, and we’ve spoken at length. I’ve also spoken to Joe Biden, but it’s an easy subject for all of them to be behind. No one’s for genocide. No one’s for people being killed because of their race or religion.
Q: If the U.S. government were to ask you to take on a more official role, would you?
A: Sure, (but) our government really isn’t in a position to fix things. What we need, and where I’m working the hardest, is to try to get more involvement from other Arab/Muslim countries.
Q: Have you been following your pal Brad Pitt’s crusade in New Orleans?
A: It’s a life choice for him and a big part of his life. Matt (Damon) does that, too. Don (Cheadle). A lot of the guys who are good friends of mine spend a good portion of their life doing this. In some ways, it’s easier for us because we have some financial security, so we can say, “OK, let’s stop worrying about ourselves and look out for other people.” What should you do with all this kind of attention? Should you get out of a car without wearing underwear?
Q: No, George. Please. Never.
A: You’ve never seen me. I look fantastic.
Q: How will you be spending the holidays?
A: I don’t do a big Christmas thing. I think Christmas at some point is for having a bunch of kids, so I just get through the holidays. I have a lot of work to do.
Q: Has being so involved with the heartache in Darfur affected your own level of joy?
A: It certainly reminds you to be ridiculously happy with your life. Once you see people suffering in the way these people are suffering, you feel very guilty about not suffering at all.
Q: Except for your root canal.
A: Yeah, I got to go to a dentist. You realize how of little importance the things that trouble you are.