Skip to main content

Deep Dive: The Diplomat (2015)

Play Trailer

Film Lens

The Diplomat
The Diplomat is a biographical documentary about Richard Holbrooke, a prominent U.S. diplomat whose career spanned five decades. Directed by his son, David Holbrooke, the film provides a personal perspective on Richard's life, beginning with his work as a Foreign Service Officer in Vietnam and culminating in his role as the Obama administration's special representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan at the time of his death in December 2010. The film features interviews with notable figures such as Bill Clinton, Hillary Clinton, and Madeleine Albright, offering insights into Holbrooke's diplomatic efforts and personal life. The documentary includes location shoots in significant places like Vietnam, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, and Afghanistan, which shaped Holbrooke's career. The film aired on HBO on November 2, 2015, coinciding with the 20th anniversary of the Dayton Agreement that ended the Bosnian War. The narrative intertwines Holbrooke's professional achievements with a more intimate look at his personal relationships, particularly as a father and husband, providing a multifaceted view of a complex historical figure.

Why Watch

  • •Meet Richard Holbrooke through personal stories.
  • •See interviews with Bill and Hillary Clinton.
  • •Find out about the Dayton Agreement's impact.

Did You Know

•Richard Holbrooke served as a Foreign Service Officer in Vietnam.
•The film premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival on April 23, 2015.
•David Holbrooke directed the film and is Richard's son.
•The documentary aired on HBO on November 2, 2015.
•Interviews include 16 notable figures like Bill Clinton and Henry Kissinger.

Perfect For

Diplomacy enthusiastsPolitical history buffsFans of biographical films