Biting the hand that fed you

Tilda Swinton played the "White Witch" in the Chronicles of Narnia, released last year by Disney. Speaking in San Francisco - where else? - Swinton decided to let us know how she really felt about the movie:

She told the audience: "Last year, in the process of promoting two fantasy films for different Hollywood studios, I was advised on the proper protocol for talking about religion in America today.

"In brief, the directive was, hold your hands high where all can see them, step away from the vehicle and enunciate clearly, nothing to declare."

Swinton followed these statements with an attack on the politics of many powerful figures in the film industry.

Speaking about The Chronicles of Narnia, which in the run-up to its release was given a huge push by the Church, Swinton said: "I love the idea of goose-stepping old Walt D making over $700m with the help of a Red Witch. He is more than welcome.

"At least we made her whiter than white, the ultimate white supremacist, and we managed to railroad the knee-jerk attempt to make her look like an Arab."

If Hollywood were truly run by conservatives, Swinton would never again work in that town. Chances are she'll have dozens of scripts on her doorstep for review within days.