Oliver Stone has a mind to film a documentary on Mahmood Ahmadinejad. But the Iranian government, unsure of what he’s got in mind, is understandably wary. After his first request was deferred, his second has been stagnating for more than a week.

Regardless of Stone’s intended angle, disregarding the heavy-handedness of the Iranian government, the communication sends an interesting message. In the U.S., our politicians are reprimanded by the Supreme Leader Dick Cheney for sidestepping the executive branch’s efforts at dis-diplomacy in visiting the Persian state. But, that a single American, albeit a demi-invincible icon, can engage in his own diplomacy, that his press agents can tell the enemy government that this is an opportunity to open up a dialog between the two cold-warring nations, reaffirms the idea that the way we communicate as individuals living in American can help to overshadow the messages sent by a government we don’t always agree with.

I hope Stone pursues this story regardless of Ahmadinejad’s approval (but, of course, with the necessary visa)– it would be a great valve for the diversity of opinions within Iran (and an even greater watershed for Americans unaware of the existence of those opinions). I believe in the potential for a good Stone documentary in the same way I believe another talented director can do a great documentary on the Bush Administration without ever speaking to Bush or Cheney — the balanced pulse of the public is bound to tell a great story.

Yes, we’re breeching a point where individuals can communicate with governments (see: Bono, Gates, Steve Irwin). But does the gesture of good will and common understanding get through the people in those governments? Hopefully, we are not far from the point where individuals can communicate with individuals, governments aside.