By Chlotrudis Independent Film Society
Rating: 2.5 cats
Director: Laura Poitras
Country: united_states
Year: 2010
Running time: 90
IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1504300/
Thom says: “I don’t feel all that strong in criticizing this film, but I simply couldn’t’t absorb it. Both Jandal & Hamdan have past connections to Al Qaeda (Jandal was Osama bin Laden’s personal bodyguard from 1996-2000 & remains a Jihadist & Hamdan worked as a paid driver for Al Qaeda, & never had a connection with the inner organization of the Jihadists. But it’s Hamdam that was locked up in Guantanamo Bay for over eight years and his brother-in-law Jandal drives a taxicab in Yemen, free-as-a-bird. It finally is revealed that Jandal turned in a slew of people, including Hamdan, to retain his freedom.
“While the film is sincere in its fact-finding I’ve grown somewhat disinterested in films of this sort. I can see where it might be highly admired though. 2 1/2 cats”
Ibad responds: “I can see where one can find it less than compelling, but I thought compared to all the mundane preachy political documentaries getting all the acclaim this year (except EXIT THROUGH THE GIFT SHOP), it was a rather unique and innovative film. With a single focus on this one man as a microcosm of such a large issue facing us today, I think it spoke such volumes in a way that was insightful, but never simplified its complexities that another documentary might do by spelling out the issue the best they can. It’s a challenging work, but one I found rewarding.”
Thom says: “I felt the film was glorification of a con artist, the bin Laden bodyguard who now drives a taxi in Yemen. He told the filmmakers whatever they wanted to hear, much of which was obvious drivel. Why theis film is so critically acclaimed escapes me. Laura Poitras is a convincing speaker, not unlike her subject. Interesting that Hamdam wopuld not cooperate with the filmmakers after his release from Guantanamo.”