FLASHBACK: When Hollywood Loved Hugo Chavez

“Escaping Venezuela” is the movie every college student should see.

Twice.

The Reason-produced film has its world premiere Oct. 13 at the IFC Center in New York City. The documentary follows Carlos, a Venezuelan entrepreneur who helped his fellow citizens flee their homeland’s dictatorial regime.

“Escaping Venezuela” uses Carlos’ story to paint a broader picture of socialism’s promises and predictable failures. The narrative resonates all the more as DSA politicians make their mark in the Democratic Party.

Socialism, to many people’s horror, is on the rise within the United States.

The film starts with the U.S. capturing Venezuelan strongman Nicolás Maduro, then hits rewind to share how the once-wealthy nation collapsed over the decades.

Corruption. Crime. Censorship. Starvation. And it all flows from Socialism 101.

One section of the film will be particularly noteworthy for film fans. The documentary recalls Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez’s “triumphant” appearance at the 2009 Venice Film Festival.

The world leader received a warm welcome, feted by celebrities like Oliver Stone. The Oscar-winning director’s “South of the Border” documentary fashioned Chavez is a hero, not a Castro-like dictator.

Far-left filmmaker Michael Moore got one-on-one time with the leader at the festival, too.

By then, Chavez’s anti-democracy policies were in full effect. He silenced news organizations that criticized his regime. He had laid the groundwork for “perpetual re-election.”

And he arrested his political rivals.

The film industry should have known at least some of this at the time. The festival gave him a movie star reception all the same.

Moore wasn’t the only star to praise Chavez. Danny Glover dubbed him a “brother” and compared him to Martin Luther King, Jr. Glover also took millions from the leader to make two movies that never saw the light of day.

Sean Penn frequently praised Chavez, turning a blind eye to the injustices under his watch. He stayed close with Chavez right until his 2013 death. Penn visited the gravely ill leader before his passing.

“He’s one of the most important forces we’ve had on this planet, and I’ll wish him nothing but that great strength he has shown over and over again. I do it in love, and I do it in gratitude.”

Moore also honored Chavez following his death, taking a swipe at his home country in the process.

“Hugo Chavez declared the oil belonged 2 the ppl. He used the oil $ 2 eliminate 75% of extreme poverty, provide free health & education 4 all,” Moore tweeted. “That made him dangerous. US approved of a coup to overthrow him even though he was a democratically-elected President.”

It’s worth recalling how key Hollywood players celebrated Chavez in life and in death. That’s especially timely given recent film festivals where key Hollywood players denounced Israel and praised the Palestinian cause.