Famed comedic artist, Sir Michael Palin, recently shared an intriguing anecdote from his time filming a new travel-based series in the fascinating country of Venezuela.
At the seasoned age of 82, Sir Michael, accompanied by his dedicated crew, had an unexpected firsthand encounter with the Venezuelan intelligence service’s armed guards, known as SEBIN, during their filming for the tripartite series.
The situation initially leaned towards being tense, as the stringent manner in which the filming process was interrupted did not escape the keen observer that is Sir Michael.
The event began deceptively simply, with just a few local policemen. It subsequently escalated to involve members of the National Guard, eventually culminating in the arrival of intimidatingly armed men, attired in bulletproof vests and carrying rifles.
The intensity and scale of the situation reminded Sir Michael of scenes typically enacted in times of great distress, such as when embassies faces imminent threats. The entire scenario was a cause for concern for Sir Michael and his crew.
Following the initial intimidation brought about by armed officials, Sir Michael and his diligent team faced detainment for a considerable span of time. During these protracted hours, their bags underwent thorough inspections, their valuable possessions captured in photographs, and their passports were temporarily taken away.
However, in what Sir Michael fondly referred to as a ‘peculiar’ twist of fate, the guards conducted a quick Google search of his name during the waiting period for SEBIN headquarters in capital city Caracas to decide their fate.
The guards’ search led them to an engaging interview between Sir Michael and John Cleese where they elaborated upon ‘The Life of Brian’, a film they had collaborated on. After watching the clip, the guards skeptically deemed Sir Michael ‘not very amusing’, according to his recount.
In an unexpected turn of events, the guards subsequently found their way to some snippets from the renowned ‘Monty Python’ show, featuring the characteristically hilarious fish-slapping dance that Sir Michael is famously associated with.
So universal is the appeal of this comedic gem, that it induces laughter across borders, from the remoteness of North Korea to the tropical climes of Venezuela.
Clearly, even the armed guards in the waiting room were not immune to the all-encompassing humor demonstrated in the fish-slapping dance, and the former tense atmosphere experienced a palpable shift.
Sir Michael, through his recount, relayed feeling a level of comfort once they had showcased the fish-slapping dance to the guards, and felt an air of optimism for the day’s outcome.
Ultimately, by the day’s end, they were permitted to leave. Nevertheless, Sir Michael did mention a lingering sense of unease borne from speculation that they might still be under surveillance, considering the duration for which they were previously held at gunpoint.
The post Sir Michael Palin’s Hilarious Encounter with Venezuelan Guards appeared first on Real News Now.
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