ironhorse_iv
Originally filmed to be one of the documentaries to take part in BBC (British Broadcasting Service) 'Why Democracy?' 2004 film series, which consists of ten documentary films from around the world questioning and examining contemporary democracy. Taxi to the Dark Side really outshine the other films, to become one of the best documentary films ever. Directed by filmmaker Alex Gibney, the film examines the USA's policy on torture and interrogation in general, specifically the CIA's use of torture and their research into sensory deprivation, by showcasing the story of an Afghan taxi driver named Dilawar, whom was beaten to death by American soldiers while being held in extrajudicial detention at the Parwan Detention Facility, during the first years of War in Afghanistan (2001-2014). However, due to its controversial nature of opposition to the use of torture from political and military opponents, and its failure to gain a television station to broadcast after its production end; its message was shelf for years. It wasn't until 2007 that people got to see it, in limited theaters. Even with that, not a lot of people saw it. It wasn't until 2009, that this documentary finally got broadcast with Discovery Channel to the majority of main-steam audiences with warnings of disturbing images, and content involving torture and graphic nudity. It was here, that I finally got to see it. Without spoiling the movie, too much, I have to say, Taxi to the Dark Side accomplishes what a documentary like this, is supposed to do. It shows the utmost disgusting things about the war in multi-faceted way. The film approach isn't as narrow-minded as some critics make it, out to be. It shows a lot of things. While, the movie is mostly about the 2002's Bagram torture and prisoner abuse, it also showcase the facts that lead to the Abu Ghraib torture and prisoner abuse in Iraq in 2003, and the abuse at Guantanamo Bay detention camp. It also displays the legal loopholes that upper government officers were doing, so not to allow capture terrorists to have the same rights of normal capture soldiers which is protect under the standards of the Geneva Convention. Yes, I do understand the film would seem a bit one-sided and bias to certain audience members, since some of the rigorous interrogation tactual, do work. However, in my opinion, all these crude acts is morality wrong, no matter, how much, they say that torture works. Also, this movie also shows the flaws of torture. What makes this story even more tragic, is how Dilawar was an innocent man, who was at the wrong street at the wrong time, who had no information about any attack or terrorists. It's sad to hear that, brutal things happen to him, for a crime, he didn't committed. This shows that sometimes, the information gather by torture victims is un-liable, and full of mistakes. It's also sucks to hear that most of the higher ups, that allowed this torture to happen on these bases, were never prosecuted for their crimes. Many of them, were pardon by laws, they made or by blaming the blame on lower enlisted personnel scapegoats. Despite that, in my opinion, the best thing about this movie is how it shows positive solution to the problems, such as asking for stronger methods to the government uphold the standards of the Geneva Convention forbidding torture and allowing more peaceful negotiation. I also love how this film was able to get interviews from most of the people involve with these cases. All of the talking heads, gave some very important information. I also how well-edited, 'Taxi to the Dark Side' was. All of the reenactments mixed with archive footage was well-crafted. It's hard to find a fault about this film. If anything, I didn't like how certain imagery were reappear over and over again frequently out of context. Another is how badly structure, the film points are. Its message seem to jump around, a lot. Despite that, it was a good movie. The film was so good, that it won the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature in 2007. Overall: I have to say, this complex well-researched & well-documented film is a real eye opener. It's a must-watch for anybody whom is interested in what happening in the world, today. I highly recommended 'Taxi to the Dark Side'. Go see it.
gavin6942
An in-depth look at the torture practices of the United States in Afghanistan, Iraq and Guantanamo Bay, focusing on an innocent taxi driver in Afghanistan who was tortured and killed in 2002.Writing this review in 2015, the material in this film are already a bit dated. The movie came out in 2007, at a time when most of those involved were still in office. It made for a powerful indictment because a finger was pointed right at the very people responsible at the top of the chain.Now the film has a bit less of an impact, because most of these people are gone -- retired, and will never be in any office again. But have we ever really done anything to fix the problem? No, not really. And with a history of CIA tactics going back 50-60 years, are we to think they have stopped now, simple because Bush was replaced by Obama? Seems naive.
