I’ve seen a lot of buzz about this movie, called The Prisoner, Or How I Planned To Kill Tony Blair (trailer available here). It’s been getting a lot of attention because it follows the story of an Iraqi journalist who, along with his brothers, is accused of plotting to kill Tony Blair and is put in Abu Ghraib prison. All sorts of mistakes, misdeeds and mistreatment on the part of our troops are alleged through outright statements and innuendo.
What’s the true story? I’m not sure. It could be this documentary is a fair accounting of what happened, but I’m not about to trust Hollywood filmmakers to be at all accurate or honest about events in Iraq.
But what I’m wondering is...why is this film such a big deal? I mean, a documentary critical of the American military and Bush’s foreign policy in Iraq? One that alleges all sorts of wrong-doing by our troops and their commanders? That’s not exactly shocking fare given all the other Hollywood documentaries and films that cover the exact same ground.
What would be refreshing is a documentary about our troops rescuing kidnap victims, rebuilding hospitals and schools, winning battles against terrorists and saving the lives of Iraqi civilians. Because those things happen every single day in Iraq. Much more often than Abu Ghraib-like scandals. Yet nobody wants to do a documentary about that stuff.
Why? Hollywood-types would probably say that it isn’t interesting, but in reality it’s just plain old liberal bias. Hollywood liberals believe that America, and not Islamic extremists and oppressive tyrants, are the problem in Iraq and that’s what their films are going to reflect regardless of reality on the ground.
Anyway, the PR folks involved with this film have sent me a press release and an opportunity to see an advance screening and sit in on a question and answer session with filmmakers Michael Tucker and Petra Epperlein. This takes place in West Hollywood, however, and I’m in North Dakota. But if there are any SA readers in that area who would be interested in attending . I’d be happy to hook you up with the understanding that you’ll then produce a report for this blog.