You're right, insofar as this would make me a little less outraged, but the American treatment as it was depicted certainly didn't meet the expectations of the Geneva Convention, or the UN Charter of Human Rights.
I think the most interesting part of this film is how it plays with your expectations. Having grown up in the West, I expect, when I hear the American accents, that their ordeal is over, and the biggest shock is to hear and see the American gaolers behaving in the same manner as the Nazis did. It shocks me, because I expect what other films have shown: Americans liberating the oppressed, but to see Americans as the oppressors is a shock.
I do believe that the depictions are accurate, as they match the stories of returned Australians (and others) who were detained in Guantanamo. The more convincing proof is Obama's indictment of the prison.
Although many would use this as evidence of America's degradation, I think it just shows that we are all fallible. I don't hate the Germans, and yet I detest what was done by the Nazis in the name of Germany. In the same way, I don't hate Americans, but I still detest what was done in Guantanamo by amoral adherents to George Bush's fascism, in the name of the USA (and with the support of Australia's fascist Prime Minister at the time).
I too question why they went to Afghanistan in the first place, but I can understand their curiosity, and also have some understanding of the culture, in which it is rarely acceptable to question one's elders.
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procletnic
15 years ago
Than you'd be surprised that the facist are still ruling that part of the worl...
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sceme6482
15 years ago
I am surprised people always say how this and that is not within the "rules". No matter if the suspect is guilty or not, even enemies should be dealt respectedly without even thinking if it's within the rules or not.
Some things like torturing a prisoner, be it physical or mental, are simply wrong way to deal with things. It's a weak way.
As soon as you show pity and respect to your enemies you get far more done in a long run.
We have seen it proven so many times that such methods as they use in these kind of situations only results in false confessions.
Soldiers who are told to carry out these kind of orders should simply say no. In any army that has a working system a soldier can decline carrying out insane orders.
Also do US soldiers really curse that much? I cursed when I was a teenager but I grew out of it. Little cursing works as a statement, cursing a lot is a sign of a weakness in my eyes.
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bigredone-4
15 years ago
Well, lets add a little realism to the movie. Since by all real accounts, these people were suspect in terms being linked to terrorists, and that at the very least thier repeated bleating that they were not terrorists, it would stand to reason that all things being equal, that these men are not clean. Sure, it might not be enough to convict in a court, but that level of proof is not realistic in the real world. Intelligence can't get to that level of scrutiny. If nothing else, their behavior is quite suspect, and there should be enough reasonable doubt to disbelieve anything that they might say. Of course a real terrorist would make up a story about why they were there, and say that they weren't a terrorist. They would deny deny deny, and when they got a chance paint their captuers in a poor light. These accusations of mistreatment should be treated as what they truly are, propaganda. Their behavior leading up to and throughout their side of the story leads to only one logical conclusion. It is a true fanatic that can withstand the greatest pressure. A truly innocent man does not have that reserve. They would lie long before, if only to receive a small break. These men maintained their innoscence until long out of U.S. control. The true merit of this film is to show how some have been duped by our enemies into producing propaganda for them.
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onandonandon92
14 years ago
the accusations of mistreating are propaganda? really?
why is Obama shutting down guantanamo again? no offense... but regardless of these men's innocence or guilt... guantanamo is a shady place...
open ur mind man. do u really think US govt is completely clean and fair? Your talking about the country that backs Israel no matter what inhumane bs they pull in the world.
give me a break.
HEISENBERG WAS HERE.... (I think)
(yes it's a chemistry joke so sue me!)
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cinesimonj
14 years ago
How the geographical location of a person justifies torture is beyond me...
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Willtur
13 years ago
In the end no one should be imprisoned without a conviction, anything otherwise is wrong and will never be right. We have plenty of criminals people we know are murderers(like the mob)but you have to actually prove it and without torture. What is left to save when the cure is worse than the disease?
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