Remember when Jon Stewart had to take a sabbatical from "The Daily Show" last summer and John Oliver filled in for him? Well, Stewart was out directing his first film, and now we can finally see the fruits of his labor.
The trailer for Stewart's "Rosewater" was released Aug. 28, and it looks like the full-length film is going to be an impressive directorial debut from the TV personality. "Rosewater" is based on the true story of Iranian-Canadian journalist Maziar Bahari who travels to Iran to cover the 2009 elections for "Newsweek." While covering the elections and the subsequent protests that shook the country, Bahari was arrested and held captive for 118 days on charges of espionage.
The film's sobering reminder of the dangers journalists face while reporting is all too relatable these days with the recent killing of journalist James Foley by ISIS. While the trailer certainly has a dramatic tone overall, it is ultimately an uplifting story reminding us that even in the darkest of hours, there is hope.
Bahari is played by Gael Garcia Bernal, who seems to be on a roll with political dramas lately, giving a stellar performance in 2012's "No," about the campaign against former Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet. Garcia Bernal promises to deliver another strong performance in "Rosewater," which will hopefully help the actor earn some positive buzz and maybe even win big in the upcoming awards season. Since much of the film focuses on Bahari's solitary life in prison, Garcia Bernal's major screen time will definitely go a long way in earning him accolades.
Stewart first met Bahari when he appeared on "The Daily Show" in November of 2009 after he was released from prison. "Maziar is an incredibly warm, intelligent, and sort of sparkly fella who has an ability to maintain his sense of humor. He was able to stand back and observe his own situation and feel the absurdity of it, and that allowed him to not lose his mind," Stewart told "Entertainment Weekly" earlier this month.
Many might have expected Stewart to take on a comedy for his first time directing a film. However, since he makes a living out of political satire, often enlightening audiences about important social and political issues that go beyond entertainment, "Rosewater" is as appropriate a project for Stewart as any.
"I don't ever forget how fortunate I am. To be able to express displeasure or discomfort with the powers that be is a luxury not afforded to people in other countries. In some ways, this movie is a love letter to being able to express yourself," Stewart said during his "Entertainment Weekly" interview.
"Rosewater" will premiere at the Telluride Film Festival in Colorado this weekend. The film opens nationwide Nov. 7.
