Review of Taxi to the Dark Side (2008) by Jesse F — 29 Oct 2008
This one came through netflix the other day (I had forgotten that I had put it on the list), and it packs quite a wallop. Essentially, it follows the case of a very young Iraqi bush taxi driver who is brought to a US detention center in Afghanistan (accused of aiding in a rocket attack against US Forces) where he is subsequently tortured/beaten to death by US soldiers. Later, the US is forced to admit (only after an outside investigation) that he was actually an innocent man. The film, however, has a larger subject.
What emerges over the course of the film is actually a detailed picture of how and why torture, rejection of the Geneva Convention, suspension of habeas corpus, and use of extreme interrogation methodologies beyond the approved army interrogation manual have became standard practices over the course of the last several years.
The viewer, meanwhile, is left to decide what this means about both human nature and about America's moral compass and standing in the world.
Tough stuff. Good movie.
This review of Taxi to the Dark Side (2008) was written by Jesse F on 29 Oct 2008.
Taxi to the Dark Side has generally received very positive reviews.
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