Hitchcock does Ghaddafi

Muammar Ghaddafi has recently appeared on Libyan TV, for only 15 seconds, apparently solely to prove to Libyans that he is still in Tripoli, not in Venezuela or some other part of Libya.

So how do we know the video was indeed shot in Libya? Two reasons, according to Al Jazeera: first, because Ghaddafi is holding an umbrella, and mentions that it is raining. It was indeed raining in Tripoli last night, a fairly rare occurrence for Tripoli. Second, the building behind him is shown in some detail, as if to make sure it is recognizable, and is apparently a museum in Tripoli.



Two things make me wonder, though. First, Ghaddafi is holding up an open umbrella even though he is sitting inside the cab of a truck. He obviously has no need for it—methinks therefore it is a calculated prop. Second, the building behind him is apparently made of brick, yet there is a strong glare on the brickwork directly behind Ghaddafi from what appear to be studio lights. Brickwork does not produce glare; but a photograph would. The shadows also seem to fall on it flat, as if the building has no contours or even texture. In other words, it looks as if the building behind him is really a backdrop photograph set up in a studio. That studio could be anywhere, including Venezuela.