Mariano Picolomini
The Associates Students Organization (ASO) screened two political themed movies on Wed, Nov. 12. The movies that were showed respectably were “Iraq for Sale: The War Profiteers,” and “Taxi to the Dark Side.” both movies have a political point of view on the war in Iraq. Many Americans are against the Iraq War and these movies support many of the reasons that some oppose the war. The first movie was “Iraq for Sale: The War Profiteers,” it’s a 2006 documentary about the war in Iraq and how the money that the government uses goes into play. The movie was directed and produced by Robert Greenwald, who is recognized and criticized for the political views that his films contain.
Much of it explains the private military companies that are hired to go into Iraq and do work that the military may not participate in. These companies included Blackwater, K.B.R. Halliburton, Titan and CACI. Blackwater is probably the most know company which was recently under investigation for participating in the killing of 17 Iraqi civilians including 14 that were killed “without cause.” The movie consists of many interviews with military servicemen, watchdog group affiliates and former employees of the companies. Many of these interviews claim that these companies act unethically during interrogations. Also much of the U.S. government is criticized, including current office holders like heavily criticizes President George W. Bush. “Yet another rehash of inaccurate, recycled information.” claims K.B.R. Halliburton. The second movie was “Taxi to the Dark Side.” it’s a 2007 award winning documentary about an Afghan taxi driver who was beaten to death by American soldiers. Directed by Alex Gibney and produced by Eva Orner. Most of the movie surrounds taxi driver Dilawar, who was killed in Bagram Air Base. The movie investigates the military policies in the act of interrogation and torture. What is the limit that the military has or if it even has a limit. When Gibney won the Academy Award for “Best Documentary Feature,” he said in his speech, “This is dedicated to two people who are no longer with us. Dilawar, the young Afghan taxi driver, and my father, a navy interrogator who urged me to make this film because of his fury about what is being to the rule of law. Let’s hope we can turn this country around, move away from the dark side and back to the light.” These films vary but most of them have political views on what the world is going through today. “Kind of a political activity of what’s going on in the world,” said ASO advisor Brad Saenz. The ASO chooses different films for that are screened at The Great Hall, inside the Student Community Center. The hall can seat up to 200 with furnished tables, couches and chairs. It consists of audio, visual equipment and wireless internet connection. Anyone is welcome to any meeting or screening, and its open daily from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.