NAMES IN THE NEWS : Gorbachev May Get Film Cameo
Soviet leader Mikhail S. Gorbachev may soon follow former President Ronald Reagan onto the silver screen.
Unlike Reagan, however, Gorbachev will portray himself in an Israeli-Soviet film based on the true story of a Soviet plane hijacked to Israel by armed robbers, the Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth reported.
The film’s scriptwriter, who also serves in the Soviet Parliament, told Gorbachev he was looking for a double to portray him in the film.
“Why look for a double? If I am free, I will play myself,” Yedioth quoted Gorbachev as responding.
The Soviet president will have only one line in the film titled “Direct Flight”:
“Do everything to protect the children.”
Last December, five Soviet robbers seized a busload of schoolchildren before hijacking a plane to Israel, believing it had elected an anti-communist government.
Israel immediately sent the thieves back, paving the way for improved ties with the Soviet Union.
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