Let’s pretend, shall we? Pretend that you’re a US soldier fighting in Iraq. You’ve been assigned to interrogation and some new people have been brought in. These aren’t just any normal people. These people, you’ve been told, have classified and dangerous information. You’re told that they have been conspiring to commit an act of terrorism of the same magnitude as the September 11 attacks. They’re withholding this important information about others that they know of who have been conspiring as well. They won’t budge. You’re hot, sweaty, uncomfortable, and these terrorists are starting to get you in trouble with your superiors. What do you do?
This is precisely what is discussed in the 2007 Academy award winning documentary Taxi to the Dark Side. Director Alex Gibney, who also directed Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room, uses an example story to illustrate his point that torture is not necessary or appropriate for use by the military. The story of a young taxi driver named Dilawar, who picks up some fares who leave behind an electric stabilizer that ends up sending him to be interrogated at the Bagram Air Force base by US soldiers. While there, he is tortured through such practices as forced standing and beating. He endured so much torture that he eventually died there, the death report stating that his legs were beated so badly, they were “pulpified”.
Throughout the film, Gibney shows different examples of torture used by US soldiers at Bagram, Abu Ghraib, and Guantanamo Bay through various interviews with ex-interrogators and through photographs and video of the events. These soldiers recount their stories, ashamed of themselves and the things they’ve done. They’re ashamed, but they say that when you’re there in the middle of it, it’s just the thing to do. It’s very much an “us vs. them” mentality. They say that their superiors gave them no choice, even ordering them to torture the captives. But every soldier interviewed was eventually convicted of crimes, their superiors getting off scot free: all the way up the chain of command to Bush.
Peppered in with soldier interviews are speeches and statements made by the Bush administration either bold-faced lying to the public or embellishing the truth to make it sound better than it really was. In reality, the orders to do whatever it takes with these captives came directly from the highest ranking advisors of the Bush administration. There are so many condemning statements made in this movie, it’s a wonder it actually made it to theaters let alone win the Oscar.
Speaking out against torture is Presidential nominee John McCain. A former POW himself, he understands firsthand the extent of torture that is used on foreign prisoners. Footage of him from when he was a POW is included in the film.
Isn’t it amazing how much power we’ve given our government? Giving the President the right to authorize torture when needed? Who do we think we are? Over and over again the truth is given that torture does not extract the information that the interrogator is looking for. If a prisoner is being tortured, he is more likely to spew whatever information he thinks the interrogator is looking for. Not necessarily the truth. Better ways of obtaining information are out there, and they are brought up as well. Alternatives include gaining the trust of the prisoner, making them happy and as comfortable as possible, offering to take care of their family. These are ways to make a prisoner trust you so you can get the information you require. If we as a country believe that these men are terrorists out to do terrible things to our people, why would we allow ourselves to terrorize them? If we want the terror to stop, why do we continue it?
Taxi to the Dark Side is a horrifying look behind the scenes at the current state of business as usual with the military and the government. The way we treat prisoners of this war on terror is not working, something has to change. Alex Gibney has made an eye-opening documentary that is difficult to watch, but should be required viewing for every American. If this is how our country is being portrayed to the people of the world, shouldn’t we know about it?
Since most of the video and photographs shown are older and amateur, the video quality of the DVD appears grainy at times. This really just adds to the realism of everything being shown. It is presented in widescreen with a 1.78:1 aspect ratio. The audio quality is sharp and presented in Dolby Digital Surround.
Frank Gibney Interview – A few months before Alex Gibney’s father passed away, he was talking about the film to him. His father Frank wanted his son to film his views on the subject. He was an interrogator during World War II. This is a very interesting and compelling feature. A must watch. 15:40
Outtakes – These are more like deleted scenes than outtakes. I think outtakes, I think gag reel. Some of these are worth watching, but most of them aren’t. The best one is titled “www.restraintchair.com” and it’s an interview with a husband and wife who run a business out of their home building and selling restraint chairs used by the government. At one point, the husband demonstrates the chair by putting his wife in it. He’s talking like a used car salesman the whole time. All of these deleted scenes put together are approx. 20 minutes long.
Alex Gibney on PBS – An interview with Alex Gibney. 17 minutes
Rober Scheer Interviews Alex Gibney on Link TV – Another interview. 13 minutes
Theatrical Trailer
Feature Commentary with Alex Gibney – After watching the feature film and then two interviews with the director, I have to say that watching a documentary with commentary by the director seemed to be a bit of overkill. He does have a lot to say about the subject and it’s very clear that it means a lot to him.
Taxi to the Dark Side has sparked conversation between my friends and family and I. What would each of us do when put in this situation? The answer isn’t as black and white as you think they are. This film gives such great insight to the interworkings of our government and the miliatary though. This really should be required viewing for every American, especially now during this election season.
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Thinkfilm presents Taxi to the Dark Side. Directed by Alex Gibney. Starring Alex Gibney, Moazzam Begg. Written by Alex Gibney. Running time: 00 minutes. Rated R. Released on DVD: September 30, 2008. Available at Amazon.
