The Oath (2010 film)
Encyclopedia
The Oath is a 2010 documentary
from director Laura Poitras
. It tells the cross-cut tale of two men, Abu Jandal
and Salim Ahmed Hamdan
, whose meeting launched them on juxtaposed paths with Al-Qaeda, Osama bin Laden, 9/11, US military tribunals and the U.S. Supreme Court. The Oath
is currently being distributed both theatrically and non-theatrically in the US by New York based Zeitgeist Films
.
, a taxi driver in San'a, Yemen and his brother-in-law Salim Hamdan, a Guantanamo Bay prisoner and the first defendant in the controversial U.S. military tribunals. Brothers-in-law, Jandal and Hamdans' (bin Laden's former bodyguard and driver respectively) personal trajectories become tragically intertwined after Hamdan is sent to Guantanamo Bay (although he seems "innocent.") The film's two main characters serve as a vehicle to explore and contextualize issues that have befuddled Western media in the post-9/11 world--questioning our notions of jihad, loyalty and Al-Qaeda. Filmmaker Laura Poitras
inter-cuts Hamdan's trial (his lawyer's attempts to challenge court system flaws) and Jandal's contradictory conversations with his son, Muslim pupils and media interviews.
, where it won the "Excellence in Cinematography Award for U.S. Documentary". It was also featured at the Berlin Film Festival in February 2010
and the South by Southwest film festival in March 2010.
The director Laura Poitras
won the "True Vision Award" at the True/False Film Festival
for the creation of the documentary.
The film will have its television premiere on PBS
's show P.O.V.
in 2010.
in late April 2010 and the Rio de Janeiro International Film Festival in early October 2010.
Documentary
A documentary is a creative work of non-fiction, including:* Documentary film, including television* Radio documentary* Documentary photographyRelated terms include:...
from director Laura Poitras
Laura Poitras
Laura Poitras is a documentary film director and producer.Her 2006 film My Country, My Country was nominated for an Oscar.Her 2010 film The Oath won the "Excellence in Cinematography Award for U.S...
. It tells the cross-cut tale of two men, Abu Jandal
Abu Jandal
Abu Jandal is a former member of al-Qaeda and former chief bodyguard of Osama bin Laden.He is a Saudi citizen of Yemeni descent. Abu Jandal was arrested by Yemeni authorities in connection with the USS Cole bombing in October 2000,...
and Salim Ahmed Hamdan
Salim Ahmed Hamdan
Salim Ahmed Hamdan is a Yemeni man, captured during the invasion of Afghanistan, and imprisoned at Guantanamo Bay. He admits to being Osama bin Laden's personal driver claiming he needed the $200 monthly salary that came with the job....
, whose meeting launched them on juxtaposed paths with Al-Qaeda, Osama bin Laden, 9/11, US military tribunals and the U.S. Supreme Court. The Oath
The Oath
The Oath is the English title of Le serment de Kolvillag, a novel by Elie Wiesel. It tells the story of Azriel, the only surviving Jewish member of the small Hungarian town of Kolvillag after a pogrom perpetrated by neighboring Christians. Azriel carries the secret of Kollvilag's destruction within...
is currently being distributed both theatrically and non-theatrically in the US by New York based Zeitgeist Films
Zeitgeist Films
Zeitgeist Films is an American independent film distributor based in New York City founded in 1988 by co-Presidents Nancy Gerstman and Emily Russo. Films distributed by Zeitgeist are strongly auteur-driven by directors such as Christopher Nolan, Guy Maddin, Atom Egoyan, Todd Haynes, Nuri Bilge...
.
Overview
The film revolves around Abu JandalAbu Jandal
Abu Jandal is a former member of al-Qaeda and former chief bodyguard of Osama bin Laden.He is a Saudi citizen of Yemeni descent. Abu Jandal was arrested by Yemeni authorities in connection with the USS Cole bombing in October 2000,...
, a taxi driver in San'a, Yemen and his brother-in-law Salim Hamdan, a Guantanamo Bay prisoner and the first defendant in the controversial U.S. military tribunals. Brothers-in-law, Jandal and Hamdans' (bin Laden's former bodyguard and driver respectively) personal trajectories become tragically intertwined after Hamdan is sent to Guantanamo Bay (although he seems "innocent.") The film's two main characters serve as a vehicle to explore and contextualize issues that have befuddled Western media in the post-9/11 world--questioning our notions of jihad, loyalty and Al-Qaeda. Filmmaker Laura Poitras
Laura Poitras
Laura Poitras is a documentary film director and producer.Her 2006 film My Country, My Country was nominated for an Oscar.Her 2010 film The Oath won the "Excellence in Cinematography Award for U.S...
inter-cuts Hamdan's trial (his lawyer's attempts to challenge court system flaws) and Jandal's contradictory conversations with his son, Muslim pupils and media interviews.
Awards
The film premiered at the 2010 Sundance Film FestivalSundance Film Festival
The Sundance Film Festival is a film festival that takes place annually in Utah, in the United States. It is the largest independent cinema festival in the United States. Held in January in Park City, Salt Lake City, and Ogden, as well as at the Sundance Resort, the festival is a showcase for new...
, where it won the "Excellence in Cinematography Award for U.S. Documentary". It was also featured at the Berlin Film Festival in February 2010
and the South by Southwest film festival in March 2010.
The director Laura Poitras
Laura Poitras
Laura Poitras is a documentary film director and producer.Her 2006 film My Country, My Country was nominated for an Oscar.Her 2010 film The Oath won the "Excellence in Cinematography Award for U.S...
won the "True Vision Award" at the True/False Film Festival
True/False Film Festival
The True/False Film Festival is an annual documentary film festival that takes place in Columbia, Missouri. The festival usually happens on a weekend toward the end of February or the beginning of March, with films being shown from Thursday night to Sunday night...
for the creation of the documentary.
The film will have its television premiere on PBS
Public Broadcasting Service
The Public Broadcasting Service is an American non-profit public broadcasting television network with 354 member TV stations in the United States which hold collective ownership. Its headquarters is in Arlington, Virginia....
's show P.O.V.
P.O.V.
POV is a Public Broadcasting Service Public television series which features independent nonfiction films. POV is a cinema term for "point of view"....
in 2010.
Film festivals
The film was presented at the San Francisco International Film FestivalSan Francisco International Film Festival
San Francisco International Film Festival is the oldest continuously running film festival in the Americas. Organized by the San Francisco Film Society, the International is held each spring for two weeks, presenting an average of 150 films from over 50 countries...
in late April 2010 and the Rio de Janeiro International Film Festival in early October 2010.
External links
- Trailer at pbs.org (with complete film available for streaming September 1, 2011 through September 27, 2011)