You Don't Like the Truth: 4 Days Inside Guantanamo

You Don't Like the Truth: 4 Days Inside Guantanamo is a 2010 documentary film that penetrates the distant and elusive world of the notorious Camp Delta prison in Guantanamo Bay. Crafted by directors Luc Côté and Patricio Henriquez, the film is a critically acclaimed piece that knits together a riveting, but at times excruciating, portrayal of what transpired within the precincts of the infamous prison facility.

The documentary begins by giving a sketch of the history and the context of its creation, noting this nightmarish prison came into existence in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks, as part of the US Government's intensive drive against terrorism. The film elucidates that Guantanamo Bay Detention Camp was meant to accommodate people the US government described as "illegal combatants".

The movie offers a unique spotlight on Omar Khadr, a Canadian citizen and the youngest prisoner in Guantanamo who was accused of killing an American soldier. Khadr was detained at the age of 15 in 2002 and imprisoned for ten years. The film largely draws on seven hours of video footage of the "enhanced interrogation techniques" used on Khadr by Canadian intelligence officials in 2003 over a period of four days. The footage, which was declassified by the Canadian courts, is a central part of the film's narrative woven across a 100 minutes discourse, revealing the realities and the brutalities behind the barbwired fences.

The video footage allows for an in-depth look at the interrogation techniques, the state of Khadr and the overall picture of violence that speaks volumes about the human rights abuses at Guantanamo. His futile pleas for understanding and help to his countrymen, the coercion and manipulation manipulations used by interrogators, and the heartbreaking loneliness and despair Khadr experiences are presented to the audience through these real footages.

One of the salient themes in the film is the apparent contrast between the sad and frustrating reality that Khadr experiences and the strikingly placid, languid and routine-like atmosphere of the base that is consistently shown to us through shots of the quotidian activities of the military personnel. This paradox works as a remarkable aesthetic and also a provocative commentary on the nature of institutional violence and its normalization.

The film diligently investigates the wider ramifications of Khadr's case including its implications on international law and human rights, espionage, the conditions of imprisonment, and the ethical responsibility of governments towards their citizens. Aside from Khadr himself, the film brings in a chorus of supplementary voices: Khadr’s former cellmates, his defense lawyers, his personal psychologist as well as a former military chaplain at Guantanamo. These additional testimonies serve to provide a diverse set of perspectives, enriching the narrative and pushing the audience to delve deeper into the disconcerting reality of Guantanamo Bay.

Another potent aspect of the film is its intense focus on the psychological impact endured by the inmates. Through the neutral lens of the camera, it sways the attention towards mental torture and its frightening effects. It underscores how wounds that leave no physical traces are just as debilitating as physical violence. This depiction invites viewers to reflect upon the profound consequences of such cruel methods, urging a necessary dialogue on matters of human rights abuses, and the moral conundrum surrounding detention without trial.

Moreover, with the meticulous assembly of the scenes, archival footage, and raw testimonials, the directors refrain from pushing a particular viewpoint, favoring objectivity in the presentation of the material. This approach depicts the directors' at their observational best, and gives the film a disquieting authenticity that leaves a lasting impact.

Throughout its runtime, You Don't Like the Truth: 4 Days Inside Guantanamo sparks an internal deliberation on human rights, national government responsibilities, and the losses inflicted in the name of security. The film does not shy from the actualities and instead chooses to be enlightening in its realness and intensity. The heart-rending portrayal of Khadr's ordeal and the overall inhumane treatment of detainees at Camp Delta urges its viewers to reflect upon the broader issues at hand.

In conclusion, the film is a rare piece that captures the grim reality of Guantanamo, portraying the endurance of the human spirit in the face of continuous adversity. A must-watch for anyone keen on understanding the intricacies of the human rights, security, law, and ethics discourse in a post-9/11 world.