Esteemed comedian Sir Michael Palin shared a rather unique anecdote about filming a new travel series in the beautiful country Venezuela. The 82-year-old intrepid traveler, along with his diligent crew, were briefly stopped by professional officers from the Venezuelan intelligence service, SEBIN, during the shooting of the three-episode show.
Sir Michael paints a vivid picture of the unfolding scenario, which started with just a few local policemen and gradually involved the National Guard. Eventually, some men donning rifles, protective vests, and helmets joined in – a slightly intimidating, yet unexpected part of their filmmaking adventure on foreign soil.
In what was an incidental pause in their travels, Sir Michael described how he and his team had to wait for a few hours. This, he explains, involved a routine security check where their luggage was examined, belongings captured in photographs, and passports kept aside temporarily. The consistent professionalism on display was quite unmistakable.
In a turn of events that Sir Michael found slightly peculiar, things began to lighten up when the security personnel conducted a quick online search of his name via Google. All this while, they were anticipating the instructions from the SEBIN headquarters in the striking Venezuelan capital, Caracas.
One of the first things the officers stumbled upon was an interview featuring Sir Michael and his co-star John Cleese. In the interview, they were discussing their famous film, ‘The Life of Brian’. Recalling that moment, Sir Michael maintains his signature wit, mentioning, ‘They watched the interview and were convinced that I was not as funny as they’d imagined.’
Interestingly, the officers eventually discovered clips from the widely-renowned comedy series, Monty Python. A particular favorite was the famous fish-slapping dance sketch, a comedic act that transcends language and cultural barriers. This humor, he suggested, universally brings about roaring laughter, whether it’s anywhere from the edgy North Korea or vibrant Venezuela.
Upon witnessing the hilarity of the much-loved sketch, there was an apparent shift in the atmosphere. Reflecting on this unique experience, Sir Michael says that after demonstrating the fish-slapping dance, he felt a sense of relief, believing they were going to be alright.
Then, as the day came to a close, they were eventually released by the local authorities. Sir Michael neither credits nor downplays his fame for this resolution. Instead, he acknowledges the impact of humor: a source of common ground that can emerge even in the most unlikely circumstances.
Yet, the iconic comedian did express a certain instinctive hint at caution post this encounter, saying, ‘Post this incident, I felt we could be under a subtle form of surveillance.’ This was, of course, an understandable sentiment given the distinctive experience they had while filming under the wary surveillance of armed officials.
Moreover, these unexpected hiccups are a part of the larger narrative, a testament to a globally recognizable personality navigating his way in a foreign land amidst local law enforcement.
One can also find amusement in the fact that Monty Python’s universal appeal could initiate such a profound interaction and even diffuse a seemingly tense situation. It’s a testament to how humor can truly unite us all, crossing geographical and cultural boundaries.
This incident is just one of many from Sir Michael Palin’s travels, who continues to share his unique experiences across the globe. A renowned comedian, a gifted storyteller and a passionate traveler, Sir Michael’s tales are invariably tinged with his distinctive wit and warm humor, bound to inspire and encourage the essence of unity through laughter.
All in all, Sir Michael’s journey in Venezuela serves as a fascinating anecdote, emphasizing the universal language of humor, the inescapable brushes with local laws while traveling, and the magnificent impact of comedy in bringing people together, regardless of where they are from.
The post Sir Michael Palin Brings Laughter to Foreign Soil in Venezuela appeared first on Real News Now.
About Author
