Standard Operating Procedure
By Cheryl Cheng -- Video Business, 9/15/2008
SONYStreet: Oct. 14
Prebook: now
> Fascinating in-depth analysis of the infamous Abu Ghraib photos.
In this award-winning documentary, filmmaker Errol Morris closely examines the infamous Abu Ghraib prison photos that depicted extreme accounts of abuse and torture, which came to public attention in 2004. All sides of the story are heard here, including in-depth interviews with soldier Lynndie England, who was captured in many of the photos smiling and giving a thumbs-up sign in front of prisoners, and Brigadier General Janis Karpinski, who claimed she was unaware of the abuses at the prison. One of the most interesting segments is when the Abu Ghraib photos are classified by an Army official as either “standard operating procedure” or “torture.”
Shelf Talk: The torture issue is on the minds of many, as the Supreme Court recently ruled that detainees at Guantanamo Bay have the right to a fair trial, and similarly themed Taxi to the Dark Side won the Best Documentary Oscar last year. The institutional market, fans of noted documentarian Morris (The Fog of War) and those curious about the scandal will be particularly interested in this one.
Documentary, color, R (graphic images, language), 116 min., DVD $28.96, BD $38.96Extras: director’s commentary, additional scenes; BD adds interviews, Los Angeles premiere Q&A, Berlin press conference and discussion
Director: Errol Morris
First Run: L, April 2008, <$1 mil.
