There are many documentaries on the Iraq War and US occupation, but few reach the caliber of Oscar-nominated “My Country, My Country,” directed by Laura Poitras. Instead of focusing strictly on the American side of things, Poitras followed Iraquis instead, following a doctor that was running for office as a Sunni. Shown on PBS’s series “P.O.V.”, the film is chilling and honest, guaranteed to leave a knot in your chest. It doesn’t get much more real than this, and if you’re still in doubt, film-maker Poitras was placed on the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s watchlist. This film is very substantial and highly recommended viewing.
Her new film, “The Oath,” promises to be just as commanding. It follows Abu Jandal and his brother-in-law Salim Hamdan. Jandal is the former bodyguard of Osama bin Laden; he now drives a taxi in Yemen. Hamdan is the ex-drive of bin Laden; he was also one of the first to face trials and imprisonment in Guantanamo Bay. From the brief footage seen in the trailer, the film promises to be just as raw, intense, and frightening as “My Country, My Country.” One standout scene involves Jandal asking his son if he wants to be a “mechanic or a jihadist.” With an innocent smile and giggle, the son replies, almost without a second thought, “Jihadist.” The film is the second (following “My Country”) in a trilogy focusing on post 9/11 life.
The film won Best Documentary at the recent Sarasota Film Festival, and received an “Excellence in Cinematography Award for a U.S. Documentary” at the Sundance Film Festival. Zeitgeist will release the film on May 7th, below are the dates and the trailer.
May 7th – IFC Center – New York, NY
June 4th – Harkins Valley Art Theatre – Scottsdale, AZ
June 11 – Coolidge Corner Theatre – Brookline, MA
June 18 – Northwest Film Forum – Seattle, WA
June 18 – Denver Film Society at the Starz – Denver, CO
June 18 – Landmark’s Lumiere Theatre – San Francisco, CA
June 18 – Landmark’s Shattuck Theatre – Berkley, CA
June 25 – Talahassee Film Society – Talahassee, FL
July 9th – Landmark’s E-Street Cinema – Washington DC
July 16th – Keystone Art Cinema – Indianapolis, IN
September 30th – Wexner Center for the Arts – Columbus, OH
More dates will be added, you can keep up to date by going here.