Film Review: America Waist Deep in Endless ‘Dirty Wars’

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CHICAGO – Jeremy Scahill is a relentless investigative reporter, a rare species in an age of increasing corporate control of the media. He goes to terror zones that others fear to tread, and has uncovered stories that comprise his new documentary, “Dirty Wars,” which uncovers dangerous U.S. foreign policy.

HollywoodChicago.com Oscarman rating: 3.5/5.0
Rating: 3.5/5.0

This film is based on the premise that the branches of government have decided that war no longer has to be declared, but perpetually fought, and it is that recent foreign policy that Jeremy Scahill investigates. He inserts himself into the story, becoming an increasingly angry and paranoid participant while shining a light into many dark corners. The game of one specialized military unit maintaining a perpetual war on terror – and draining the United State’s resources while expanding the battle – results in no oversight, no ordinary citizen knowledge of their associative activities and virtually unlimited powers to crash and burn in all parts of the world. It’s not only a paper moon, but the material it’s comprised of is also on fire.

While embedded with some troops in Afghanistan a few years back, Jeremy Scahill happened upon an attack on villagers by U.S. troops, killing innocent men, pregnant women and children. It was part of a mission for information gathering regarding the enemy Taliban. At first, the actions are covered up by NATO commanders (who blamed the Taliban itself), but as the facts were revealed – and after they threatened the journalist who exposed it – the U.S. sent an apology contingency to the village survivors of the raid. One officer who led those apologies was about to become famous.

The killing of Osama Bin Laden occurred in 2011. The commander of the Navy Seals that carried out the mission – dubbed the Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC) – was the same officer who offered an apology to the villagers from that Afghan raid. The theme of a “kill list” is under the auspices of JSOC, and includes an American named Anwar al-Awlaki. In the battles and missions under the banner of the “War on Terror,” all bets are off and anything goes.

“Dirty Wars” expands its limited release in Chicago on June 14th. See local listings for show times and theaters. Written by Jeremy Scahill and David Riker. Directed by Rick Rowley. Not Rated.

StarContinue reading for Patrick McDonald’s full review of “Dirty Wars”

Jeremy Scahill
Embedded: Jeremy Scahill (center) in ‘Dirty Wars’
Photo credit: IFC Films

StarContinue reading for Patrick McDonald’s full review of “Dirty Wars”

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