Watch Camp X-Ray

Camp X-Ray is a 2014 American independent drama film directed by Peter Sattler and starring Kristen Stewart, Payman Maadi, and Lane Garrison. It tells the story of a young female soldier named Amy Cole (Kristen Stewart) who is assigned to Guantanamo Bay detention camp and develops an unlikely friendship with one of the prisoners named Ali Amir (Payman Maadi).

The film opens with Amy arriving at Guantanamo Bay to start her new job as a guard at the prison. She is quickly introduced to her duties and soon begins to understand the harsh reality of working in such a controversial and tense environment. The film portrays Guantanamo Bay as a place of extreme tension, where both prisoners and guards are constantly on edge, and where the rules are constantly changing.

Amy soon discovers that her job is not only physically demanding but emotionally challenging as well. She is tasked with guarding the prisoners and keeping them in line, but she finds herself struggling to maintain her composure when faced with the harsh treatment of the detainees. Despite the clear tension between the prisoners and the guards, Amy is determined to connect with them on a more human level.

One day, she meets Ali Amir, a detainee who is different from the others. He is educated, speaks English, and shows a sense of humor. Amy starts to see beyond his title of a "terrorist" and finds herself drawn to him. Ali, too, seems to enjoy their conversations, and the two form an unexpected and complex bond.

As their conversations progress, Amy begins to question her role as a guard and the ethics of the system that she is a part of. Her feelings of empathy and compassion towards Ali clash with her duty to follow the rules set by her superiors. The film subsequently raises important questions about the ethics of detention and the fine line between humanity and humanity's dark past.

The film's performances are all strong, but the standout is Kristen Stewart's nuanced and understated portrayal of Amy. She brings depth and complexity to the character, conveying her inner turmoil and emotional journey with great subtlety. Payman Maadi also gives a powerful performance as Ali, capturing the nuances of a man who has been imprisoned for years but still maintains his dignity and kindness.

The film's visual style is austere and simple, reflecting the bleak and sterile environment of Guantanamo Bay. Sattler makes great use of tight close-ups and minimalist compositions, creating a sense of claustrophobia and isolation that reflects the characters' experiences.

Overall, Camp X-Ray is a thought-provoking and emotionally engaging drama that tackles important ethical issues in a nuanced and mature way. It is a gripping portrayal of life in a contentious and controversial space, where people on both sides of the fence struggle to maintain their humanity in the face of adversity. The film ultimately has a message of hope, showing that even in the darkest of places, connections between people can still be made.

Camp X-Ray is a 2014 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 57 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.9 and a MetaScore of 54.