Hollywood connection

At first, it sounds surprising and seems an eye-opener. But maybe it reflects similarities between characters in real life and what they prefer or like about characters in fiction and on screen. Some might say, it may not.

In any case, it would be more interesting to see how the personal choices and preferences of both US presidential candidates, Democrat Barack Obama and Republican John MaCain, would affect the way they handle things tomorrow morning, when the world will wake up to the name of the candidate who will sit at the helm of the only superpower.

Obama became the latest famous figure in the world to include Godfather as one of his favourite movies, while Letters from Iwo Jima was listed among McCain's favourites.

Godfather which was rated as among the best ever movies in cinema history, is a superb drama. Also, it is a bloody drama.

The plot centres on the life of the Mafia family of Don Vito Corleone. The film is a story of power, honour, obligation, corruption, justice, crime and violence.

The head of that family, Don, is portrayed as a gentle and restrained character, who moves swiftly. He shares these characteristics with Obama.

Actually, throughout his election campaign and during the three TV debates, Obama managed to keep his restraint despite the hectic schedules and ongoing verbal exchanges between the two candidates.

"America needs a president with such characteristics," a friend, who is also a great admirer of Godfather, told me.

Letters from Iwo Jima opens in the late summer of 1945, which was when the Japanese surrendered after the Second World War.

During the war, a bloody battle over Iwo Jima island happened. The battle is at the centre of McCain's favourite movie, Letters from Iwo Jima. It is about Japanese General Kuribayashi, who was given the task of holding the island and who chooses an unconventional resistance to the American invasion.

The defence was effective though it was in conflict with established ideas. Flags of Our Fathers, which tells stories of the American servicemen in the battle, and those who raised the US flag on the island, is a related movie.

Patriotism

Being one of those who served in the military, McCain, in the eyes of many Americans, is a symbol of patriotism, and a defender of their country.

One of the reasons behind Obama receiving global recognition during his campaign is the image of a self-made man and his determination. His run for president reflects the possibilities of advancement of different races in countries they live in. McCain receives the support of Whites and conservatives.

Both movies are related to American history and culture - the American dream and patriotism - and do somehow reflect the positions of the two candidates.

The US election is not the concern of only the American people. The whole world is following the elections. If the world's populations were given the opportunity, they would not hesitate to have their say in the results.

After all, the American voter will decide the name of the next president according to what the candidate has said on internal issues.

The world, on the other hand, is also expecting a change in America's foreign policy with the election of a new president.

One of the main reasons behind the thumbs down for George W. Bush was the way he handled the war on Iraq and turned his stable country into total chaos.

A recent poll in Arab countries has shown that two-thirds of Arabs would choose stability over democracy.