I have many criticisms about this film, especially with the construction and representation of gender and race alongside the obvious theme of violence and question of ethics.
Readings that might relate to this are:
1. Arendt: "legitimizing" of violence (especially against the "moral" and "juridical" person)
2. Foucault: Discipline and Punish (for torture)
3. Huntington's and Said's piece as well as Unni Wikan's
(Please note that the film might be extremely graphic for some)
7 comments:
Creepy, don't know exactly what the movie's stance is... but what's interesting about these sorts of scenarios is that they try to reduce the discussion around Terrorism to a binary decision. Torture or no-torture. Justification of violence becomes a lot easier when it is as simple as "if you don't kill/torture this person they will kill you." Of course, it is not like that and more important is our long-term affect in countries that produce a particular kind of situation.
Think Abu Ghraib. The images that surfaced revealed a frozen moment of enduring abuse and torture - I don't believe we will ever know the extent of what these prisoners experienced. And how can we ever possibly measure the extent of the damage to the U.S. What this revealed - and I gather the film does similarly - is that there is no We and THEM. We insulate ourselves in this false cacoon of morality - our history, as does Abu Ghraib, Guantanemo, secret "outsourced prisons", shows otherwise.
This is a type of film that scares Americans into believing that the FBI and CIA are necessary for our survival. I will most likely not see such a propaganda film. But it helps me understand the process of legitimization and normalization of our social fear. Thanks..
I think the intent of this film - based on the trailer - is to make lots of money from a certain type of audience. I don't believe there is a political agenda. It's just bad entertainment - a film where once again violence is glorified. I am interested in why you say the film deals with Islamic terrorism (and I think you meant that as a stereotype) because there is nothing in the trailer that alludes to this...But it is clear that the filmmaker wants us to view the female character in a particular way - the representation of gender that you noted. SHE is the sympathetic one and of course, the two have to have a little chemistry thing going on.
What concerns me about these type of films, and the many similar video games that are produced, is that kids grow up with this. And if you happen to live in a household without books, or without a family to "talk" to you, and your days are spent around this sort of media - as it is for many many kids - then I think its likely that you will grow up having less sensitivity about the world. I am not saying that media like this produces violent kids...but I do believe that it blurs the boundary of the reality of military violence.
Thanks for your interesting response.
You are right, there is the economics behind this film, and nobody can deny that it's aim is to generate profit.
The trailer does not really show it much. if you have the time and are willing to undertake this, watching the movie will bring up many criticisms--and yes, the common conception of "Islamic Terrorism" is being evoked. I agree with you on gender as well. the stereotypes are here. even the man who tortures, as an African-American, brings about that stereotypical notion of being aggressive. There is this intersectionality race, class, and gender at play as well. The entire content is ahistorical--that is the viewer is only taken to the interrogation/torture room.
As for your second point, I share the similar view. Not only kids, but even adults who are not well-informed about issues such as militarism and violence. For those who do not have access to universities or any other academic institution, the media is the only source that they can really "depend" on. So, movies like this pose the danger of misinformation, although it might be its (or it is its) aim all along.
oh, not only academic institutions-- the organic intellectual exists too, as Gramsci would point out. So, those who are not equipped, either by education or some form of good sense of judgment when it comes to ruling out what is from what is not.
(forgot to add that one :)
I think we should have a "movie night" with this film. Extra credit (!) It's garnered lots of different reactions and responses. Maybe Jake will agree...
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