:
David Batty,
Kevin Toolis
see all cast/crew...
: Not Rated
: Disinformation
: Documentary, Political & Social Issues
: 96 min.
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Their devastating and deadly actions punctuate the world news almost nightly, yet they remain faceless figures amidst the violence and turmoil that engulf the Middle East. And, whether it's the C4-laden martyrs of Hezbollah or the car bombing insurgents of Iraq, what could possibly compel a suicide bomber to voluntarily take their own lives, along with those of hundreds of innocent victims? There is perhaps no one better equipped to investigate this terrifying practice than Robert Baer, a decorated, former Middle East CIA Agent and the man George Clooney's character was based on in Syriana.
In the groundbreaking and acclaimed documentary, The Cult of the Suicide Bomber, Baer returns to his former center of operations to trace the origins of the modern day bomber from the Iran-Iraq war to the Middle Eastern streets of today. The Cult of the Suicide Bomber reveals the secret history of the suicide bomber, from the child martyrs of the Iran-Iraq war, the truck bombers in southern Lebanon, to the young men and women who now strap explosives to their bodies and calmly blow themselves up in crowded streets and markets across the Middle East. Baer also reveals the fascinating story of the world's first suicide bomber, 13-year-old Hossein Fahmideh - who was martyred in the Iran-Iraq war and is now a hero in Iran.
In Syriana, George Clooney plays a CIA field officer loosely based on Robert Baer, whose story is told in his bestselling memoir, See No Evil. Two books on, Baer's latest work is a film, The Cult of the Suicide Bomber, "an eye-opening portrait of the overwhelming adoration suicide bombers inspire in their communities and families," as Hannah Eaves puts it in her interview. Full article >>
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| Good insights, so-so production
by user99
August 26, 2006 - 10:00 AM PDT
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| Very insightful analysis of suicide bombings from an expert on the region. However, the unpolished interview and narration, and at times clumsy handling of the production detracted from it. |
| OK, then--let's call them Suicide Martyrs!
by talltale
July 9, 2006 - 8:20 PM PDT
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0 out of 2 members found this review helpful
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Extremely disturbing (sometimes for good reason, often for reasons that are suspect), THE CULT OF THE SUICIDE BOMBER is credited as co-written by and starring Robert Baer, the ex-CIA agent whose character provided the basis for George Clooney role in "Syriana." (Kevin Toolis is the other co-writer, as well as co-director with David Batty.) Together, these three give us one strange documentary. Three, four or more times along the way, Baer informs us somewhat breathlessly that he is talking to a person who has never up till now given an interview or spoken about a particular topic. (Really? Then why are these ever-so-private people telling-all just now, and to THIS guy of all people!?) Baer also appears to have been given carte blanche to film in the midst of religious meetings and hugely anti-American gatherings. How did this come about? Do these Islamic fundamentalists even know who Baer is? It's all a bit mystifying.
Over and over we hear Iranians, Lebanese and Palestinians talk about the necessity of their "martyrs" (the suicide bombers of the title). The dead are martyrs to their relatives and to their country, but they remain suicides bombers to Mr. Baer--and yet, when speaking with the relatives or any Islamic officials, I believe Baer refers to the dead as martyrs, too--then turns around and calls them suicide bombers again for our benefit. Well, he was a CIA spy, for goodness sake, so of course he spent his career lying for a purpose. It is difficult, during and after viewing this film, not to feel that Islam in general and these bombers in particular are an enormous threat to the western world--despite watching an interview with an Muslim theorist who claims that real Islam is no threat, while the fundamentalist version indeed is. (Can we have a show of hands, worldwide please, from those Muslims who believe in the humanitarian version?)
Baer also attempts to present both sides of the Palestine/Israel issue, but again, via his interviews, he weighs things heavily in Israel's favor. Worse, in every case from Iran's Khomeni to Lebanon and the Palestine question, he refuses to address the issues that caused the anti-American or anti-Jewish sentiments in the first place (the Shaw in Iran, the Palestinian's desire for land they claim is theirs). However you may feel about these issues, a bit of history might be helpful. Lastly, as an interviewer Baer comes--maybe--up to the ankles of Larry King and Barbara Walters (and I do not mean this comparison as a compliment to any of the three). His questions ("How did you feel when you were pressed up against the bomber?!") are often shockingly obvious and silly. Still, the history he gives us of suicide bombers--early on till present day (the films ends with the Britain subway bombing of a year or two back)--is challenging, upsetting and worth considering. |
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GreenCine Member Rating
(Average 6.20)
10 Votes
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