Journalists are trained to question what they know and to be sceptical of the facts before them. But what happens when you start to question your own government? How do you stand your ground in a position of truth?
In Shock and Awe, director Rob Reiner depicts the story of two journalists, played by Woody Harrelson and James Marsden, covering the US presidential decision to invade Iraq in 2003 after the 9/11 attacks.
When the journalistic duo choose to be sceptical of their president’s assumption on Iraq possessing weapons of mass destruction (WMD), they became a target of hate and death threats.
Choosing the realm of hell in the name of honesty and journalistic duty towards readers is Shock and Awe’s overriding moral. As per Reiner’s words in the film: “I don’t trust the people who sent our sons to fight.”
The movie is fast-paced and wittily portrays how newspapers such as The New York Times and the Washington Post took the government’s word as the truth. The notion of free press and human morality was challenged.
When the film comes to a close, the familiar big white infinite digit stood daringly bold in the black screen: Zero. A magic number that was the truth behind WMD assumptions in Iraq — there were none.
If you’re one for the behind-the-scenes of journalism and the loop holes in the political system, this is a thought-provoking ensemble that you may want to add to your library.
Don’t miss it!
Shock and Awe screens on December 9 at the Madinat Arena. Tickets, starting at Dh35 (gala screenings are Dh100), are available on diff.ae.
— The Young Journalist Award (YJA) at Diff is a training programme for high school and university students who are aspiring writers and reporters. Seven students are competing at the festival this year. One winner will secure a monthlong internship with Gulf News.
