Watch Father Roy: Inside the School of Assassins

Father Roy: Inside the School of Assassins is a powerful and insightful documentary that takes a look at the mysterious and secretive U.S. Army School of the Americas, now known as the Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation. The film, which was released in 1996 and stars Roy Bourgeois and Susan Sarandon, sheds light on the brutal training that soldiers from Latin American countries undergo at this facility and the devastating impact it has had on the people of those countries.

The film is centered around the story of Father Roy Bourgeois, a Catholic priest and human rights activist who made it his mission to expose the atrocities being committed by graduates of the School of the Americas. Father Roy was inspired to take action after witnessing the brutal murder of several women, including four American nuns, in El Salvador in 1980. The perpetrators were members of the Salvadoran military, many of whom had been trained at the School of the Americas.

Through interviews with Father Roy and other activists, as well as archival footage and reenactments, the film reveals the disturbing history of the School of the Americas. This training facility, which has been in operation since the 1940s, has been accused of teaching torture techniques, psychological warfare, and other deadly tactics to soldiers from all over Latin America. Many of these soldiers went on to become high-ranking officials in their home countries, using their training to carry out coups, massacres, and other violent acts against their own people.

Father Roy and other human rights activists have been protesting the School of the Americas for decades, calling for its closure and demanding that the United States take responsibility for the harm it has caused. The film shows how their efforts have led to changes in U.S. policy, including calls for greater transparency and accountability for military training programs.

One of the most compelling aspects of the film is the personal stories of those impacted by the School of the Americas. Through interviews with survivors of torture, family members of those who were killed, and others, the film gives a voice to those who have been silenced by this brutal system. These powerful testimonies bring home the human cost of the School of the Americas and the urgent need for change.

Overall, Father Roy: Inside the School of Assassins is a thought-provoking and inspiring documentary that sheds much-needed light on a dark chapter in U.S. history. Its message is as relevant today as it was when the film was released over two decades ago, and it serves as a powerful reminder that the fight for human rights is ongoing and essential. It is a must-see for high schools, libraries, and community groups interested in social justice, human rights, and U.S. foreign policy.