The Iraq War (documentary)

The Iraq War (documentary) is a documentary film that explores the Iraq War, a conflict that involved United States, United Kingdom, Australia, and Poland, among other countries, and was sparked by the 2003 invasion of Iraq. The documentary features interviews with key figures, including Donald Rumsfeld, Dick Cheney, and Colin Powell, and examines the War in Afghanistan and the Guantanamo Bay detention center. The film also delves into the Abu Ghraib torture and prisoner abuse scandal and the Haditha killings, highlighting the involvement of Blackwater Worldwide and other private military companies. The documentary has been compared to other films, such as Fahrenheit 9/11 by Michael Moore and The Fog of War by Errol Morris, which also explore the War on Terror and the Pentagon's role in it.

Introduction

The Iraq War documentary is part of a larger body of work that examines the George W. Bush administration's foreign policy, including the Patriot Act and the USA Freedom Act. The film features commentary from experts, such as Noam Chomsky, Naomi Klein, and John Pilger, who have written extensively on the New World Order and the Project for the New American Century. The documentary also explores the role of the CIA and the NSA in the War on Terror, including the use of Enhanced interrogation techniques and rendition. Additionally, the film touches on the Iraq Liberation Act and the Oil-for-Food Programme, highlighting the involvement of Kofi Annan and the United Nations Security Council.

Production

The documentary was produced by ThinkFilm and Magnolia Pictures, in association with BBC and CBC. The film's director, Alex Gibney, has also worked on other documentaries, such as Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room and Taxi to the Dark Side, which explore Corporate crime and Torture in the War on Terror. The production team included Eva Orner, who has worked on films like The Gatekeepers and The Look of Silence, and Sheila Nevins, who has produced documentaries for HBO and PBS. The film features music by Philip Glass and Michael Brook, and was edited by Andy Grieve and Steven Hathaway.

Synopsis

The documentary explores the lead-up to the 2003 invasion of Iraq, including the September 11 attacks and the Anthrax attacks. The film examines the role of Saddam Hussein and the Ba'ath Party, as well as the Kurdish people and the Shia and Sunni populations in Iraq. The documentary also delves into the Battle of Fallujah and the Siege of Sadr City, highlighting the involvement of private military companies like Blackwater Worldwide and Halliburton. Additionally, the film explores the Abu Ghraib torture and prisoner abuse scandal and the Haditha killings, and features interviews with John McCain, Barack Obama, and Hillary Clinton.

Reception

The documentary received positive reviews from critics, with many praising its thorough examination of the Iraq War and its consequences. The film was compared to other documentaries, such as The Fog of War and Why We Fight, which also explore the War on Terror and the Pentagon's role in it. The documentary was also praised by experts, such as Chalmers Johnson and Andrew Bacevich, who have written extensively on the American Empire and the Military-industrial complex. However, some critics argued that the film was too long and dense, and that it did not provide enough context for viewers who were not familiar with the Iraq War.

Release

The documentary was released in 2007 and was screened at several film festivals, including the Sundance Film Festival and the Toronto International Film Festival. The film was also broadcast on PBS and BBC, and was released on DVD by Magnolia Pictures. The documentary has been used in educational settings, such as Harvard University and University of California, Berkeley, to teach students about the Iraq War and its consequences. The film has also been cited in academic research, including studies on the War on Terror and the Pentagon's role in it, and has been referenced by experts, such as Juan Cole and Mark Danner.

Category:Documentary films about war