Given the current political climate in the US, it should be no surprise that Oliver Stone isn't getting the warmest of receptions for his four part Vladamir Putin documentary that is currently airing on Showtime.
That reception is unlikely to warm up anytime soon after the Oscar winner's tense appearance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.
Colbert didn't pussyfoot around during the interview and challenged Stone over perhaps being overly nice with the Russian President during the interviews. After playing a clip that shows Stone accepting Putin's denial of having any interference in the US Presidential election at face value, Colbert asked Stone if he thought he was "cosying up" to Putin.
Stone defended his approach, insisting that he had to be polite as it was a long process (the interviews were conducted over a period of two years).
"You know, you have to be polite because this was a two-year deal, and it was four times, and I was with him numerous times," Stone explained.
Stone drew groans from the audience when he went on to defend Putin.
"I think he's devoted to his country, and I'm amazed at his calmness, his courtesy, he never really said anything bad about anybody," Stone said. "He's been through a lot. He's been insulted and abused ... abused in the press and the media,"
"Anything about him negative?" Colbert quipped. "Anything? Or does he have your dog in a cage some place?"
Colbert went on to sum up his grievances about Stone's defense of Putin.
"I don’t understand why our president will never say anything negative about Vladimir Putin," he added. "Given that Putin is an oppressive leader of his country, who suppressed the free press and arrests his enemies. And that is not something that I, as an American, or a member of the press, can respect. And I’m surprised that you do respect that."
