"Ghosts of Abu Ghraib" — An "important and eloquent" film (Sundance Fest)

[NYCGirl]

Definitely going to watch this when it airs on HBO next month...

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/awards_festivals/fest_reviews/article_display.jsp?&rid=8652

PARK CITY -- The three people director Rory Kennedy would most like to see her documentary "Ghosts of Abu Ghraib" are George W. Bush, Dick Cheney and Donald Rumsfeld. Unfortunately, they probably won't, but many Americans will get the opportunity when HBO gives the film a limited theatrical release prior to its airing in February. In these troubled times, it should be required viewing for all thoughtful citizens.

Not only does the film thoroughly and skillfully explain the context in which something as heinous as Abu Ghraib could happen, it attempts to understand the psychology of those involved. Interviews with members of military intelligence, military police, inmates from the prison and experts on the legal and moral implications of torture, create a complete and disturbing view of a tragedy far more complex than the work of "a few bad apples."

The film is framed by black-and-white footage from a 1961 documentary of a Yale University study in which recruits were required to administer 450 volts of electricity to people they didn't know. The point of the study was to observe an individual's willingness to inflict pain when ordered to do so, which, according to Kennedy, is what happened at Abu Ghraib.

The MPs whom Kennedy interviews are seemingly mild-mannered, even likable people who were forced into a job as prison guards for which they had no training. One of them, Javal Davis says, "the place turned me into a monster," a feeling echoed by others. This was not what innocent-faced MI officer Israel Rivera, only 21 at the time, or MP Sabrina Harman, fresh out of basic training, signed on for. After September 11 they wanted to defend their country and do some good. So they didn't question the torture they witnessed, and in some cases administered, because these were, after all, terrorists of the worst kind. (Ironically, as the film points out, none of the prisoners were ever charged.)

[cynatnite]

1. I posted earlier, but it fell off the page...

Thanks for reposting. Maybe we can get more attention drawn to this important documentary.

K&R!

[Oilwellian]

2. Thanks for the heads up

I think it was Rory Kennedy who also did a film on global warming...she does excellent work. K&R.

[NYCGirl]

3. Here's her entry at the Internet Movie DataBase:

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0448311/