Watch Ghosts of Abu Ghraib

Ghosts of Abu Ghraib is a thought-provoking documentary that delves into the disturbing events that took place at the infamous Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq. Directed by Rory Kennedy, the film brings to light the human rights violations and crimes that were committed by American military personnel against Iraqi detainees during the early years of the Iraq War.

The documentary primarily focuses on the experiences of the soldiers involved in the scandal and their perspectives on what happened at the prison. It also features interviews with some of the detainees who were subjected to various forms of abuse and humiliation, including nudity, forced exercise, and sleep deprivation.

The film opens with a brief history of Abu Ghraib, a former military prison that was taken over by US forces in 2003 to house Iraqi detainees. It then moves on to examine the events that led to the scandal, including the policies and procedures that were put in place by military officials to deal with detainees.

One of the most compelling aspects of Ghosts of Abu Ghraib is the personal accounts of the soldiers who were involved in the torture and abuse of the detainees. The film explores their motivations for their actions and the psychological toll that it took on them. Many of these soldiers were young and inexperienced, having been thrust into a dangerous and unfamiliar environment far from their families and loved ones. The film also highlights the role that leadership played in creating a culture of impunity and a lack of accountability that enabled the abuse to continue unchecked.

Through interviews with counselors and psychologists, the documentary examines the impact that the Abu Ghraib scandal had on both the soldiers and the detainees. It also raises important questions about the effectiveness of torture as a means of obtaining information and the long-term consequences of such actions on the reputation of the United States.

In addition to the soldiers and detainees, the film features interviews with human rights activists and legal experts who provide context and analysis on the issue. The documentary also includes powerful images and footage from inside the prison that bring the atrocities committed there to life in a visceral way.

Overall, Ghosts of Abu Ghraib is a powerful and thought-provoking documentary that shines a light on one of the darkest chapters in American military history. Through its exploration of the human toll of war and the abuse of power, it encourages us to think critically about the actions of our government and the role that each of us plays in creating a more just and equitable world.

Ghosts of Abu Ghraib is a 2007 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 22 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.7.