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Don Cheadle: The road to Darfur

3:28 PM Mon, Sep 24, 2007 | Permalink |
Chris Vognar

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Don Cheadle in Hotel Rwanda (United Artists)

Just got off the phone with Don Cheadle (call me a name dropper). He produced and appears in the upcoming documentary Darfur Now , a look at six people - including Cheadle - trying to raise awareness and aid for the people of Darfur, the region of far western Sudan that continues to be ravaged by warfare and, by most accounts, genocide. A few minutes with Cheadle gives the lie to the whole "spoiled celebrities should stay out of serious issues" argument (which I've always found ridiculous anyway). He knows he's famous; indeed, he knows his fame and familiarity gives him access and forums that most don't have. The Big Question: What exactly is wrong with that?

"I'm a conduit," says Cheadle, an Oscar nominee for 2004's Hotel Rwanda (which raised his awareness and concern for the current plight of African nations). "I'm not an expert on the area. I just want to do things to help. In my position, I can do things publicly that other people can't get to. Me working on this stuff doesn't in any way, shape or form help me in the business."

Read more on Cheadle and the film closer to the Dallas opening Nov. 9.