Russian ambassador tweets photo of 'terrorist' that's actually from a Harold & Kumar movie
While trying to get a dig in at the United States, Russia's ambassador to Britain inadvertently admitted on Twitter Wednesday that he has never seen the 2008 classic Harold & Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay, tweeting a photo that was supposed to show a "terrorist rejoicing" but was actually from a scene in the movie.
Kal Penn, who played Kumar Patel in the movie (and once worked in the White House), quickly pointed out Alexander Yakovenko's mistake. That's Penn in the photo, clad in a fake beard, wig, and turban while joking about being a terrorist on a plane. (Why else do you think Harold and Kumar wound up in Guantanamo Bay?)
The Russian embassy in London responded with both an explanation of Yakovenko's tweet and an insult/compliment for Penn:
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
However, by tweeting this photo of Rocky IV's Soviet boxer Ivan Drago (as portrayed by Swedish actor Dolph Lundgren), Penn got the last laugh:
As The Washington Post points out, when you Google "terrorist laughing," the image of Penn in the movie is high up in the results. That's likely why Yakovenko used the photo — although it still doesn't explain how he managed to make it to 2015 without seeing Harold & Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Catherine Garcia is night editor for TheWeek.com. Her writing and reporting has appeared in Entertainment Weekly and EW.com, The New York Times, The Book of Jezebel, and other publications. A Southern California native, Catherine is a graduate of the University of Redlands and the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.
-
British Armed Forces personnel details 'hacked by China'
Speed Read The Ministry of Defence became aware of the breach 'several days ago'
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published
-
Best beach cafes around the UK
The Week Recommends Enjoy freshly cooked food within sight of the sea – whatever the weather
By Adrienne Wyper, The Week UK Published
-
My Arbor: a unique treetop retreat in the Dolomite mountains
The Week Recommends Detox like a true European in the South Tyrol region of northernmmost Italy
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Israel proposes two-month pause in Gaza war in exchange for all Hamas hostages
Speed Read Deal doesn't include an agreement to end war, but might be 'the only path that could lead to a ceasefire', said US officials
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Nato official warns of all-out war with Russia in next 20 years
Speed Read Civilians must prepare for life-changing conflict and mass mobilisation, says military chief
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Rishi Sunak visits Kyiv to announce £2.5 billion in military support for Ukraine
Speed Read Surprise trip comes amid increased Russian bombardment and escalation of Middle East crisis
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
British warship repels 'largest Houthi attack to date' in the Red Sea
Speed read Western allies warn of military response to Iranian-backed Yemeni rebels if attacks on ships continue
By Richard Windsor, The Week UK Published
-
Israel preparing to flood Hamas tunnels with seawater
Speed Read IDF pumps could drive out terrorists but critics warn of danger to hostages and Gaza water supply
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Houthi rebels claim Red Sea ship attacks
speed read Iran-backed Yemeni group vows to escalate aggression towards Israel-linked vessels in revenge for Gaza war
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Israel plans next phase of Gaza war as first hostages released
Speed read After four-day ceasefire 'we will not stop' until destruction of Hamas, says Israel
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Mob storms Russian airport 'looking for Jews'
Speed Read Plane from Israel surrounded by rioters chanting antisemitic slogans after landing in Russia's Dagestan region
By The Week UK Published