Kathryn Bigelow’s latest movie “Zero Dark Thirty” is attracting unwanted outrage from Senate leaders. The movie chronicles a “dramatization” of the killing of Osama bin Laden. Most movie critics agree that the film not only will be nominated for many Oscars, but is the clear front-runner in the Best Picture, Director (Bigelow) and Lead Actress (Jessica Chastain) category.
Sen. Diane Feinstein (D-CA) and Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) are irate that the film perpetuates the assertion that “enhanced interrogation” techniques like water-boarding led to location of the OBL compound. They maintain that no information obtained from such “sessions” directly assisted in the assassination of the Al-Qaeda leader. However, these complaints directly contradict the information afforded during released information from past and present CIA directors. People can argue as to what extent, but it is a fact that some information was revealed in such interrogations. In fact the name of the courier was revealed through such a “session.”
Bigelow maintains that the movie is NOT a documentary. It is merely a DRAMATIZATION of what occurred that day as well as the months leading up to it. To think every minute detail in a movie is historically accurate is a bit naive. Senator McCain is probably livid because he personally is against the use of “enhanced interrogations.” McCain is a man who I greatly admire (although I was a bit annoyed with his recent Susan Rice controversy). He is a war hero who survived being a POW (prisoner of war) for six years during the Vietnam War. McCain was so badly tortured that he has permanent physical injuries as a result (Ex: he can’t lift his arms all the way up).
He fervently repudiates the idea that torture is the correct approach to obtain sensitive information. He thinks it is inhumane and mostly leads to admissions of lies. I have struggled as to my own feelings on the subject. For a time I sided with the former Presidential nominee. However, I feel that in some cases the use of “enhanced interrogations” or torture (whatever you would like to call it) is necessary. If a terrorist is planning on killing mass amounts of Americans in the imminent future, I am not going to try to debate with detainees. I would do whatever is necessary to save innocent lives.
I am sure I will be getting some opposing thoughts on the matter. I should make it clear that I am not one who hasn’t thought quite a bit on the issue. I understand both sides of the argument. If you oppose my thoughts on the matter please feel free to comment.
As for the criticism of the movie, I simply say:
“It’s NOT a documentary. It is a dramatization. Remember that.”
What do you think?
