Movies

International intrigue

Watts and Owen follow the money

In the gripping thriller The International, Interpol Agent Louis Salinger (Clive Owen) and Manhattan Assistant District Attorney Eleanor Whitman (Naomi Watts) are determined to bring to justice one of the world's most powerful banks.

Uncovering countless illegal activities, Salinger and Whitman follow the money from Berlin to Milan to New York to Istanbul. Finding themselves in a high-stakes chase across the globe, their relentless tenacity puts their own lives at risk as their targets will stop at nothing � even murder � to continue financing terror and war.

The International was inspired by the real life drama surrounding the downfall of the Bank of Credit and Commercial

International. Founded in Karachi, Pakistan in the 1970s by Agha Hasan Abedi, the international bank quickly turned into the most pervasive money laundering operation in history.

In addition to financial services, the bank ran a brisk sideline business in arms trafficking, mercenary armies, intelligence and support of terrorism. Lawmakers in the UK and US finally discovered these dealings in 1991 as the bank collapsed.

Catch the thrilling action when The International hits cinemas on April 16.

	intrigue (n): the activity of making secret plans in order to achieve an aim, often by deceiving people gripping (adj): exciting or interesting in a way that keeps your attention Interpol (n): an international organisation that enables the police forces of different countries to help each other tenacity (n): determined to do something in spite of difficulties downfall (n): the total loss of money, power, social position, etc. money laundering (n): to move money that has been obtained illegally into foreign bank accounts or legal businesses mercenary (n): a soldier who will fight for any country or group that offers payment