tavis: good evening. from los angeles, i am tavis smiley. this weekend starts critical talks between u.s. and iran about nuclear proliferation. despite some signs the iranians might compromise on key issues, is one of the most pacing -- pressing problems facing the world community. the president of the national iranian council and author of the new book "a single roll of the dice." in the actor guy pearce is here with his new movie "lockout." >> every community has a martin luther king boulevard. it's the cornerstone we all know. it's t just a street or boulevard, but a place where walmart stands together with your community to make every day better.

>> and by contributions to your pbs station from viewers like you. thank you. [captioning made possible by kcet public television] tavis: he is the president of the national american council that include a treacherous alliance and the latest is called a single roll of the dice. he joins us tonight from washington, is good have you back on the program. >> let me start by asking the obvious, what your expectations are for these conversations this weekend. are they high or low? hong >> i think we should keep the expectations low. expect a necessarily

breakthrough. both sides have come to the table and stay at the table perhaps, and we can have a little higher outcomes. i want to emphasize both sides. we have seen how domestic politics in both countries have made it very difficult to actually compromise, and it has led to the current state of affairs. >> is that why the expectations are so low? >> at the end of the day, we are coming to the table at a time when the stakes are probably higher than they ever have been. but domestically, the ability of the two sides are more limited than they have ever been. it means that we have to have low expectations.

tavis: "a single roll of the dice," the title as a little off-putting because in real, true diplomacy, it is not just one role of the dice. >> it is actually a quote from one of obama's officials. by the time they managed to get everyone to the table in october of 2009, obama had brought out the political space to the extent that the entire policy became a gamble on a single roll the dice. it has to work right away or not at all. he did not have the latitude to continue the talks and there is almost never any success if it is a single roll of the dice. i am pleased to see that there is going to be another attempt.

it describes the policy as such. tavis: there was the administration point that they had to have the goal. >> the other presidents have them as well. perhaps obama made the boldest attempt at breaking the -- compared to other presidents. even that attempt that took place on an unprecedented opening in the political landscape was not old enough or sustainable enough to be able to break through 30 years of enmity. we have to keep in mind that the same thing needs to happen on the iranian side.

the one thing that cost obama more political space and maneuverability than anything else was probably what the iranians themselves did in the elections of 2009. tavis: you said the expectations were low. in ways that compromise the talks or compromised our efforts at diplomacy, why do you believe that they can ever come to the table and have an authentic conversations if they keep getting handicapped by their own domestic politics? >> both sides have been handicapped, but they both have, at times, shown an ability to be able to move forward.

neither side has been able to do it at the same time the other side has been able to do it. the iranians could not come from miles away because of their own political infighting that was taking place at that time. they did in the eighth and get them to put their signature on the treaty. obama was a different domestic situation and could not show the kind of sensibility. are we coming to the table with the same level of determination, polital will, and this time may be different in a more positive way. the president doesn't want to see a military confrontation

between iran and the u.s. war between israel. it will have a devastating effect on regional stability and for the economy of the united states. we are already paying 25 cents extra a gallon has a result of the sanction. the president doesn't need hall to be that high if he wants to win the election. iranians have the interest to see what kind of compromise the u.s. will do and to avoid a continuation of the difference sanctions being imposed. >> in no particular order, the president has been very clear that he thinks we can survive without iran's oil.

why should we leave that he is concerned about those gas prices if people the states that we can go in alone without any input? >> nevertheless, there is the belief that the market can handle that. the reason is not necessarily because of a reduction of the supply. as a result of the very high tensions and the rest of military confrontation. the present will be quite clear that he has found some of these varicose statements as well as the iranians and the israelis could be problematic because it is shooting up the oil prices that hurts the u.s. and the

benefits iran. tavis: for this weekend, what are we putting on the table. >> we are not putting that much on the table. a lot of public conversations about what is being put on the table,, we want to give up the stockpile that they do have right now. they want to make sure that they close a new facility that is deep underground. those are not necessarily bad demand, i think they make a lot of sense in terms of political perspective. what is it likely that the iranians are going to say yes have there are no incentives put on the table to exist -- to lift some of the existing sanctions.

the real question is going to be, will there be a balance between demand and the incentive that is put on the table? tavis: what is the incentive to offer incentives? what is the incentive to come down or back out on some of these sanctions? >> i think they will be a critical component here. they will be mindful of the fact that most of these will go through congress. they might even be able to play with them as they go through waivers. as well as haitian sanctions, i think there is instrumentation to play with if there is sufficient political will on all sides to be able to strike a compromise.

the solution is not going to be found unless both sides agree to some painful concessions. some political cost at home is going to have to be paid in order to get a deal. we will see this conflict escalates to a higher level than it already is. tavis: what does iran want from us? >> i think sanctions will be one critical component. they want to see acceptance of the fact that they have enrichments on their soil, particularly below 5% her richmond. this will be of very tricky negotiations. the trickiest part of it is not

that, it was the political factors about -- around it. of the other hand, the israelis are actually attacking which is something the u.s. military is dead set against. you also have other states in the security council. this has been made quite a difficult balancing act. tavis: let me close with an unfair question. to put it another way, do we believe mutual deterrence works? what is the problem of the folks saving access? >> by signing it, you have

forsworn nuclear weapons. it is nuclear technology for peaceful purposes. it is not so that iran has the right to a nuclear weapon. it does, however, have a right to for new technology and to be able to pursue peacefully. and what they want to provide -- a deprive you on his the behaviors in the past were there are some quite credible suspicions that it engaged in weapons activities. the reality is that the world will probably not be a better place have there were more nuclear weapons, particularly in the middle east. ultimately, a solution needs to be found that takes us toward a nuclear-free zone in the middle east.

that means we do have to address some of the trickier political aspects of this, like the israeli nuclear arsenal that is not on the table right now. it is difficult to see a long- term solution unless we address that issue. can you adjust that right of way? tavis: obama's diplomacy with iran out just in time for this weekend's high-stakes stockholm about nuclear weaponry. could have on the program, thank you for your time. up next, actor and guy pearce. stay with us. please welcome diapirs back to the program, the talented actor has been very busy since the last time i saw him including his emmy award winning series. the movie lockout opened earlier

today, and we bellhop will watch a scene from that. >> who are you? who sent you? >> of the old man did. >> what did he say? hot he kind of delegated your rescue. >> apparently, we should be eating more corn. >> about my father? >> you are adopted. >> free the only type of shirt they found for this mission? >> i was stupid enough to say yes. >> i was laughing when i saw that clip because she said whose acute, he said, the old man. the president of the united states. it got he has an issue of authority and probably cynical in this movie.

>> high character who is an x- special operations guide. he has been through many treacherous situations, and the story begins, set in the future of 27 the night. it is set on a prison in outer space, and the president's daughter ventures cowherd just to make sure that is being treated well. she is taken hostage, and they decided, the powers that be, and i am the man to rescue her, and with his rather cynical attitude, he doesn't want to be doing this sort of stuff anymore. he would rather be sitting on the couch watching sports. he has a friend at the prison, and amy and they have a fairly, you know, a tumultuous relationship from the very beginning. he is a funny guy, and he thinks he is a funny guy.

>>-trying to think of your porpoise, and how often is before you have been drawn to the futuristic scene. thanhaven't really, other by machine. but no, nothing with that specific genre. prometheus, as well. the small part. i am currently floating around in a couple of futuristic spots. >> of this is more of an action film, it has a heightened sense of reality. tavis: i like to talk abo the choices that actors make and by happenstance the end up being on the same time, prometheus at the

other project. how is it you end up being in projects about the same time both with futuristic themes. >> is one of those places, i guess. we shot lockout in serbia of 2010 and we did prometheus the middle of last year, 2011. they both happen to be coming about at the same time. there is marketing involved and people don't understand how that works, it can appear whenever they feel is right. tavis: how did it in the being shot in serbia? >> is a french production, essentially. he is obviously a great in serbia, belgrade, this fantastic studio. it is cheaper, that is one of the reasons, and there is an encouragement to work more in places like that. and obviously, the serbian people and the industry is trying to encourage films to be

done. they shot just 04, who. tavis: it sounds like a mini united nations. >> did was, we had to irish and directors, when was primarily the cinematographer, and he has an irish camera crew. the french company, all french heads of departments with an entirely serbian crew. a bunch of actors ranging from australia to english actors. he had watched the irish director, so the french first did something in the toll the serbian guide, that is not what he said. someone has to sort this out. tavis: doesn't make sugh challenge the direction as an

actor? ta>> i can speak that language. tavis: tell me about prometheus. attempt at being slick. but look -- >> is obviously one of the most anticipated film and has connections with alien and that world. the writers have utterly incredible java with taking what was there, probably a large collection of writing and turning it into its own. the things at the ideas in the philosophies with in this story are really quite grand and pretty amazing, i have to say. it will stand alone as its own film. but obviously, even to the character that i play, some will want to see these on-line lectures things, the character is obviously referenced three of

the earlier films, so the connection will return very much his own. tavis: that is all i am getting? >> is futuristic and scary stuff. tavis: you talk about ridley scott, and at this point in your career, are there certain iconic directors like mr. scott that you wanted to work with? or does it just happened on this project? >> it happened on this project. but there are a lot of amazing directors of air, and i don't really cover it anybody. andn't try to push myself to their sites and say, what about me? obviously, to be asked by a ridley scott and do something is a great honor, soho i am also in

just as excited by the people that i don't know that have written a really interesting script, a first-time film. he won sundance last year with the film "like crazy. it doesn't have a title yet. but it is all improvised, and i found him to be one of the most inspirational guy as i have ever come across in my life. you can find yourself with inspiration in all sorts of people, not necessarily just in the old-time more experienced guys. >> is it important for you to balance out the blockbuster's tough and the not so big, independent stuff? >> if you ask my agent, he would say yes. i just look for work that interests me, whether it is a big budget or low-budget film. i don't do many blockbuster films.

have done some studio films. out of all the films i have done, probably only a hdful that are big-budget films. it is an honor that is part of the world. hi enjoy the intimacy of the small film, and if you can make something good, how it happened with memento. tavis: is the acting fulfiling used in this program? or are you looking to do other stuff beyond the acting? the riding, the director in? >> is fulfilling, i have to say. i am a much more satisfied a person just within myself. i am more confident and more capable of feeling like i can

make informed decisions rather than just kind of going with the wind, you know? i do have aspirations when it comes to directing, i suppose. but in sort of a vague way. it would probably come about if i found a project that i felt passionate about. i don't really want to change what i am doing. i am a musician as well, and that is the other half of my life. it is fine, i say it is a glorified an expensive hobby that i do. and probably lemay, i will release 1000 songs. tavis: i know that you do this and i am waiting for a music project. >> is one of those things that people know about. i don't feel hugely confident,

but is really a nice relief after her being in the world of other characters to be and what i want to create myself a tavis:. gounod's, you might be able to talk about your directorial debut or your album coming out. in the meantime, we will wait on prometheus. a new one out called the lockout, good to have you on the program. come back anytime. that is our show for tonight, and until next time, keep the faith. >> for more information on today's show, visit tavis smiley at pbs.org. tavis: hi, i'm tavis smiley. join me next time for a conversation with talk show legend phil donahue turns the tables on yours truly for two nights. we will see you then. >> every community has a martin luther king boulevard. it's the cornerstone we all know. it's not just a street or boulevard, but a place where walmart stands together with

your community to make every day better. >> and by contributions to your pbs station from viewers like you. thank you. >> be more. pbs. >> be more. pbs.