Here in the United States we are one of the first people to be guaranteed in writing by their government a list of rights. We are also in a continuing battle against terrorism and fighting a war in a far off country. Because of this we as a people also demand security from our elected leaders. Over two hundred and fifty years ago one of our founding fathers, Benjamin Franklin noted ‘Anyone who trades liberty for security deserves neither liberty nor security.’ This quote has come up a lot lately as Americans are asked to surrender some fundamental liberties in the name of national security. Under the banner of keeping the country safe from terrorism and other threats, real and perceived we have been asked to forego warrants for wire tapping and other means of surveillance, accept the detainment of suspected terrorist without out formal charges and even to permit the use of extreme interrogation techniques in order to obtain information that might avoid an attack on our soil. This last item is what documentary film maker Alex Gibney has concentrated on with his movie ‘Taxi to the Dark Side’. The film considers the charges and use of torture in Afghanistan, Iraq and Guantanamo Bay. His documentary won the 2007 Academy Award for best documentary feature and it is certain to continue to create much in the way of controversy and discussion. Many see this subject as one of the most crucial that we as a nation face today. America has always stood for taking the high ground and has openly denounced the practice of torture. Now that moral high ground is being challenged by people like Gibney. As with many documentaries Gibney has made a decision as to which side of the issue he is on. He does not disguise the fact but does offer a chance for the other side of the issue to be stated. Many documentaries are done with a humorous or light hearted approach even if the issues at hand are extremely serious. This is not the style that Gibney employs; he lays out the issues realistically through the examination of one man who died of torture. This is a film that needs to be watched by all Americans and more importantly used as a source of discussion afterwards. It is now available on DVD through Image Entertainment.

In 2002 most of the country was still reeling from the heinous attacks o September 11, 2001. the public clamored for the government to locate potential terrorist and uncover any and all plots they might have against our nation. The army was in Afghanistan ostensibly searching for members of the Al qaeda terrorist organization. The government felt that the most important thing was the safety of its people and if certain human rights had to be forgone it was just part of achieving that laudable goal. On December 5, 2002 a young Afghani man named Dilawar was taken into custody and brought to the Bagram Collection Point military detention center. Five days later he was declared dead. He was a poor man who managed to save enough to obtain a taxi in order to eke out a living and provide for his family. Later some official U.S. documents where leaked indicating that the real cause of death for Dilawar was injuries he sustained from being tortured. These injuries where allegedly administered by members of the 519th Battalion of the US army.

The film opens with a sweeping shot of the countryside of Yakubi, Afghanistan. The scene has a certain peaceful beauty to it. It is a sparse land and the people are busy at their work in the field. A voice over from one of the people native to the land describes Dilawar as a quite, hard working person; a good and honest man. The man speaking gives the audience some background on the man who would be at the center of the controversy. As a boy he loved to drive the tractor. He worked hard bringing stones down from the nearby mountain so the town could build a wall. He wanted something simple out of live, to earn a living driving a taxi. With this simple opening Gibney lets us know a little about the man who was tortured to death despite his innocence. Dilwar has apprehended for questioning concerning a rocket attack on American forces. He was accused of being part of that attack the so called trigger man. There was little evidence to support this accusation so he was taken into custody in hopes of obtaining a confession and leads to other members of the responsible group of terrorists. Dilawar was repeatedly hung from the ceiling by his arms and brutally beaten. His legs were reduced to pulp and had he lived they would have had to be amputated.

Gibney does his best to take an impartial viewpoint in his documentary but the topic is so controversial and so brutal that it is amazing that he was able to distance himself at all as a journalist. He brings in many experts to provide facts and opinions. Among them are law professors speaking the legal issues and men who have interrogated prisoners. One was Gibney’s own father who questioned prisoners in World War II. He was horrified that such tactics could even be considered and notes there were strictly forbidden in his time. He also states that any information obtained by torture would be extremely unreliable since a man pushed to that limit would say anything just to make the pain and suffering stop. Gibney takes great care to be respectful even when he is describing the methods of torture used. He combines the details of the procedures along with log book entries of their use.

One might think that a topic like this would lead the film maker to employ his documentary as a blunt force instrument. This is not the style that Gibney has built up over the years and is certain not in use here. He is subtle in his use and juxtaposition of still images. He shows a typical cell for a detainee, photos from an autopsy and a look at the oval office. He knows he is pushing buttons with his audience and overall does maintain an even keel to his film. The comparison of the current use of torture for information and its use in the Spanish Inquisition is stretching things a bit but a case may be made for authority triumphing human rights as valid in the context presented here. Consistent with what his own father stated most of the experts agree that torture is not a successful or efficient means of intelligence. Other interviews are conducted with service men in the midst of the furor. Some are currently under indictment for torture. Other viewpoints are considered from professional interrogators to behavioral scientists who delve into the physical and psychological effects of these techniques. On the other side of the topic we also hear from people who defend the use of extreme interrogation methods with legal and security related arguments. Vice President Dick Cheney opened much of this in a televised speech where he stated we need to go to the dark side during this period of crisis.

Gibney is simply put one of the best documentary film makers around. This film follows his critically acclaimed ‘Eron: the Smartest Men in the Room’. Image Entertainment is known for their large number of release announcements each month. They are also one of the most diversified distributors in the business. This DVD shows their commitment to excellence. This is a film that needs to be seen by as broad an audience as possible. The subject matter will reverberate through history and touches us all.