Zero Dark Thirty Review by Dio Rochino

        The thing about films based on real events is that the content is only as good as the evidence that is presented with it.  When enough time has passed, sufficient knowledge is available from various parties to convincingly make the film as true to the facts as possible.  That is why movies based on historical accounts can feel authentic because a lot of the facts have become public knowledge.  This is not the case with Zero Dark Thirty.  Even though the film opens with a disclaimer stating that the events depicted are based on actual testimony from the people who experienced them, knowledge of these events are very classified because they still hold political sway.

Anyone who has been following the news regularly since 9/11 definitely know certain parts of the story.  The first few minutes of the film opens with audio clips of the emergency calls made during the attacks then continues to recall the happenings that occurred subsequent to 9/11. From the terrorist bombings of a London bus in 2005 and the explosion of the Islamabad Marriott Hotel, ultimately leading up to the raid on Bin Laden’s compound by Seal Team Six.  What the film concentrates on is the moments in between.  The interweaving narratives of the people involved.  Especially that of the CIA agent responsible for locating Bin Laden played remarkably by Jessica Chastain.  Unflinching in it’s depiction, the grisly details are shown, including the advanced interrogation techniques used on detainees in order to find the whereabouts of those involved in planning the attacks.

There are a lot of personal feelings that are attached to these events and the film invokes many of them.  This was definitely prevalent when I glanced at the audience’s reaction during certain scenes.  Some sympathized, several cringed, others looked in disbelief while a few cheered silently among themselves in retribution.  But because the particulars of these events are not open to the public it is hard to ascertain which events in the film are based on truth and which are taken from artistic license.  I’m sure that the powers that be don’t want to divulge too much information since they may want to keep politically sensitive material secretive.  However, the film makers claim they were granted access to this information.  But no matter how people felt about the film afterwards, it definitely opened a flood gate of discussion.  Upon leaving the theater, Some people got as far as three steps out of the exit before making comments, and small masses huddled in groups in the parking lot to have discussions and arguments regarding the film.  This is where I felt the true ambition of the picture is revealed.  What Kathyrn Bigelow and her crew did was make a movie who’s confidential content coupled with the provocation of people’s personal feelings, allows it to be dissected on many levels. No matter how many points of view this film may bring out, one thing is certain.  It is undoubtedly the most important story of our time and the way it was presented is damn convincing.