Does anybody else think that "The Accidental Guerilla" would be an excellent title for a sitcom?
Instead, their aims are local and rational. They want above all to survive, to pursue their interests, and to be left alone to maintain their primary identities. [...] The problem in understanding this is that politics is frequently the study of hierarchy; but in reality, humans operate in multiple social networks at once, using their role in one system to influence another
So basically I'm seeing a situation comedy starring David Kilcullen as an ordinary bloke stuck at the sharp end of a war zone, trying to maintain his normal economic and family life while mediating between ruthless insurgents and an occupying imperial army, while trying to play off one against the other to his personal advantage. If you put in enough comedy poofters and saucy waitresses, this sort of thing can be a hit. Praise Allah and pass the wet celery.
Update: Thanks to Neil in comments for noting that "The Accidental Guerrilla And His Accidental Gorilla" would be even better. Frankly I can't think of a better high concept in the world right now than a wartime/buddy movie about the grizzled Aussie COIN guy and his daft but loyal pet ape. Hollywood, I'm waiting.
Too right!
ReplyDeleteAnd thank fuck, I can now shelve his damn book and probably lend it to someone. Orwell was right about reviewing.
ReplyDeleteInteresting set of reviews, Alex (BTW, is it possible to merge the comments or something on both your Blogspot and your Typepad sites?)
ReplyDeleteNot so coincidentally, I was reading The Gamble recently[1] - is it worth reading the Accidental Guerilla as a first-hand expansion of its key themes?
[1] One of those rare books that can be summarised by a single entry in its glossary - I'd need to go back home to check the exact wording, but it's basically the one for Sons of Iraq.
It's worth reading in its own right. I've no idea about The Gamble because I've not read it. Don't tell Ackerman.
ReplyDeleteis it possible to merge the comments or something on both your Blogspot and your Typepad sites?
I don't think I've got a Typepad site, although it's possible I've forgotten one much in the way that David Cameron might have missed a house here and there or the late Tony Wilson might have been hazy on exactly how many TV appearances he was planning to make that week.
In fact, this is yet another reason why I've really got to finally get around to the redesign and move into independent hosting that I've been promising since the second battle of Fallujah.
Pressure would probably help as much as support, especially as I can't adopt the Davies option (also rather Wilsonian) and get my more talented friends to do the hard work.
Oh yes; Kilcullen would probably look the part in the TV show, as even going by his own photos he's about the least warlike-looking person in the world.
ReplyDeleteWordpress, sorry. Monday morning before coffee issues.
ReplyDeleteComedy poofters and saucy waitresses will not be enough. Our character also needs to inadvertantly gain an actual Gorilla as a sidekick. It'll be a sure-fire winner then.
ReplyDeleteFace it - who'd ever heard of Clint Eastwood before he teamed up with an ape?
Brilliant.
ReplyDeleteI have Russell Crowe on line two for you, he says he wants to play the gorilla.
ReplyDeleteDo they have gorillas (or functional equivalent) in East Timor? He served there, which would tie up the backstory.
ReplyDeleteNo; The Gorilla will have to have got there by accident - falling out of a plane, or perhaps mistaken identity.
ReplyDeleteBut, however it got there, The Gorilla saved his life. It's all about layers, this cult TV storytelling lark.
Orangutans, surely?
ReplyDeletethey would be for the sequel, in which Robert Kilroy-Silk and Dr Ian Paisley relocate to Salt Lake City.
ReplyDeleteyep, "The Orange Utahns and their Orang Utans".
I'll get my coat.