The Mauritanian is a legal thriller drama film that follows a story of a Mauritanian citizen named Mohamedou Ould Slahi who was arrested and detained by the American government on suspicion of being a terrorist involved in the 9/11 attack. He was imprisoned in Guantanamo Bay, and after four years, he got the assistance of a lawyer who fights for his freedom. The lawyer, Nancy Hollander, believed that Mohamedou was innocent and had no evidence to support the allegations against him. As the case progresses, who among them would win?
The Mauritanian is based on Mohamedou Ould Slahi’s memoir, ‘Guantanamo Diary,’ which he wrote and published in 2015. The film was directed by Kevin Macdonald, a director renowned for his work in the award-winning movie, The Last King of Scotland (2006). As a filmmaker with a knack for tackling historical events, Macdonald was able to present this story as a legal drama with a thrilling edge. The question is, could the film handle such a sensitive topic with the utmost fairness and accuracy, without sacrificing the storytelling’s intensity? Find out in this review.
Year of Release: 2021
Genre: Drama, Law
Director: Kevin Macdonald
Cast:
– Jodie Foster
– Tahar Rahim
– Shailene Woodley
– Benedict Cumberbatch
The film opens in Mauritania in November 2001, two months after the 9/11 terrorist attack, where Mohamedou, celebrating his wedding, was taken into custody by the police, claiming that the American government wanted to speak and meet with him. Despite making his mother worried, Mohamedou agreed to go.
Fast forward to February 2005, Nancy Hollander meets Emmanuel, a French lawyer who informs her of Mohamedou’s location in Guantanamo Bay, which had been confirmed by a Mauritanian lawyer representing his family. Nancy initially showed little interest but began seeking information before departing for Guantanamo Bay to meet with Mohamedou herself. It turns out that Mohamedou was apprehended and detained without trial or evidence of wrongdoing. With her assistant, Teri, Nancy travels to Kuba to meet Mohamedou.
Meanwhile, the American military under the leadership of Colonel Bill Seidel ordered Stuart Couch to file charges of terrorism against Mohamedou in court, in response to Nancy’s movements. Bill alleged that Mohamedou was behind the recruitment of terrorists in the 9/11 attack that claimed the life of Stuart’s friend, who was also a pilot of one of the hijacked planes. Mohamedou agreed to have Nancy as his attorney, while Stuart’s team was tasked with gathering all data and information from intelligence to support the incrimination against Mohamedou.
Nancy faces difficulty in accessing data and information from the military, as most of it had been censored. Similarly, Stuart felt something was amiss as the data he requested was repeatedly delayed, forcing him to fly to Guantanamo Bay to speak directly with the prison chief, who also denied him access to the data. In the first hearing, the judge allowed Nancy’s request that the military provide accurate evidence proving that Mohamedou was a terrorist, and they were given a brief time to present all the evidence.
Mohamedou writes many letters to Nancy detailing his time in prison and how he was tortured and threatened with extreme methods by the American military to force him to confess to being a member of Al-Qaeda, recruiting the hijackers of the planes in the 9/11 attack, among others. Stuart, on the other hand, approaches a friend who previously investigated Mohamedou’s case in Guantanamo Bay to obtain the needed data. However, despite multiple requests, the friend refused to provide the data. Teri becomes furious and is asked to leave the case by Nancy when she discovers a letter of testimony from Mohamedou stating that he was involved in Al-Qaeda and the 9/11 attack. Nancy, patient and positive, visits Mohamedou and asks him about the letter. Mohamedou struggled to answer Nancy’s questions and almost made her give up. Mohamedou’s letter eventually came, revealing how he was intimidated and tortured to write the said letter.
Meanwhile, Stuart receives a breakthrough when his friend gives him all the classified data needed. After reading it all, Stuart is convinced that the American military treated Mohamedou unfairly and tortured him to write the testimony. Hence, he resigns from the case. In December 2009, in the hearing, the judge and other attendees listened to Mohamedou’s statement directly via teleconference. In March 2010, Mohamedou won the case and was released. Mohamedou was ecstatic, and he jumped for joy.
Conclusion
Thus, The Mauritanian is an engaging and thrilling legal drama that keeps the audience on the edge of their seat with every scene. Kevin Macdonald did an excellent job helming this movie and capturing the story’s essence and emotional impact. The cast, headed by the likes of Jodie Foster, Tahar Rahim, Shailene Woodley, and Benedict Cumberbatch, had impeccable performances. The Mauritanian is a must-see film that depicts a wise representation of reality while showcasing the way justice should be served.
