Guantanamo Lawyer Says Gyllenhaal Film "Rendition" Rings True

[DeepModem Mom]

Source: NYT/Reuters

By REUTERS
Published: October 17, 2007

LONDON (Reuters) - Hollywood's latest take on kidnapping and torture in the war on terror is surprisingly bold and realistic but won't change people's views overnight, a prominent lawyer for Guantanamo Bay prisoners says.

"Rendition," starring Jake Gyllenhaal and Reese Witherspoon, tells the story of an Egyptian man abducted by the United States as he steps off a flight in Washington. He is sent to a North African state investigating a suicide bombing, and systematically tortured under the eyes of a CIA agent, played by Gyllenhaal.

"I thought it was surprisingly courageous for Hollywood and it will be seen by millions. Now, will we persuade the world in a moment? No, of course," lawyer Clive Stafford Smith said at a preview showing in London ahead of this week's release. However, he said the media had a vital part to play in shaping public opinion on the issue, and obtaining justice for more than 300 prisoners still held as terrorist suspects at the U.S. prison camp in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

"Not one single person has been ordered free by the court of law. The court of public opinion, on the other hand, has been quite successful," said the British lawyer, whose charity Reprieve represents more than 40 Guantanamo inmates.

"We've freed more than half of the prisoners in Guantanamo Bay ... We (lawyers) legally expose the truth. You (journalists) follow up on it. That's really important."...

Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/news/news-rendition-film-lawyer.html

[noel adamson]

1. It opens on November 9th.

[DeepModem Mom]

3. Thanks, noel! nt

[PaTs2848]

2. The Horror of Guantanamo

should be apparent to any human being. It is amazing to me that even one American person could support extreme renditions, the horrors of Guantanamo, and the torture that our government has allowed to happen. It saddens me that our representatives in Congress have not yet restored the right of Habeas Corpus, or brought to an end the torture and inhumane treatment of persons allowed and even encouraged by our President. Additionally, our representatives have not seen that these human beings have proper attorney representation, or even demanded that those persons be charged or released. The Bush cronies seem so drunkened by their power that they have lost sight of right and wrong, moral and immoral.

Good for Hollywood! Hopefully it will wake up a few more Americans.

[maxkeiser]

4. my film chasing US CIA scum around Italy is much better and REAL!!

my film i made for AJE on US CIA rendition in Italy is much better.. I actually try to track down CIA dingleberry Bob Lady and make him give me my money back.. plus I take free pot shots at Condi and Fox News with impunity... I love AJE!

extraordinary antics part 1
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=_CVEMysbdOQ

part 2
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=wIFJltamP_A

[DeepModem Mom]

5. Thanks for your link, maxkeiser!

I have to go offline now, but will check it out later.

[blackspade]

6. I was struck by this sentence

"The film strives for balance by showing the militant Islamist threat as real, and posing the question whether one person's rights can take precedence over the security of thousands."


Balance my ass.
Of course the threat of terrorism is real.
However when we start thinking in terms of sacrificing individual rights at their most fundamental for the 'security' of thousands, I say we have lost our way.
It is an unfortunate fact that some will die from terrorism, but to give up on the freedom guaranteed in the Constitution for 'security' is foolish.

[Supersedeas]

7. i anticipate a rightwing smear and boycott of this movie