Oliver Stone Convinces Putin to Watch an American Classic

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“There’s one thing I’d like to tell you. We don’t have any restrictions, any persecutions based on gender,” said Putin. “Moreover, there are many people who have proclaimed their nontraditional sexual orientation, and we have maintained relationships with them. Many of them have achieved prominent results in their fields of activities, many being awarded state awards for the success they’ve achieved. There are no restrictions whatsoever,” the Russian leader added when asked about the freedoms of homosexuals in his country.

He insisted there was only a propaganda law to protect children. Stone could have pushed further, but Putin brought up a fair point when he said homosexuals weren’t being put to death like they are in many Islamic countries — something people like Stephen Colbert like to dismiss and ignore while harping on Russia to make political points.

Related: Four Celebrities Who Have Suggested Violence Against the President

Bringing up Edward Snowden — currently granted asylum in Russia — Stone pressed Putin on how the former contractor ended up coming to live in Russia and what the president’s thoughts were on the whistleblower.

“He is a courageous man, more probably, even foolhardy,” said Putin, revealing he did not originally intend to give Snowden asylum. It was only after the U.S. didn’t agree to a swap of wanted criminals that he gave the young man a home.

Asked about his personal feelings on Snowden — a man Stone released a movie about last year — Putin said, “Snowden is not a traitor. He didn’t betray the interests of his country. Nor did he transfer any information to any other country, which would have been pernicious to his own country or his own people.”

He added he disagreed with what Snowden did and felt the ex-NSA worker should have simply resigned.

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In a more interesting bit of film, Stone — in early 2016 — questioned Putin about the U.S. presidential election. Putin honestly seemed disinterested. “I believe the people of the United States are going to choose the one who deserves it best … We are going to be ready to work with whomever gets elected by the people of the United States.”

He added, “I believe that nothing is going to change no matter who is elected.” Putin did say, however, that he wanted to “build relations for the better.” He made a rather cryptic comment when Stone asked him why he wouldn’t give specific opinions on candidates. “We never interfere in the domestic affairs of other countries,” he said.

Oliver Stone could have pressed Putin far harder — but his conversations with Putin remain fascinating. The interviews still put Megyn Kelly’s to shame and make people like Stephen Colbert look foolish for not taking them more seriously.[lz_pagination]