Justice Denied: Voices from Guantánamo

Wrongfully imprisoned and later released, Guantánamo detainees recount their stories as they move on with their lives and chart a course for healing.

More about Justice Denied from filmmaker Joel Engardio

The American Civil Liberties Union wanted to use audio recordings to preserve the testimonials of five former Guantánamo detainees who had been held and released by the Bush administration without charge. I suggested that it would be more powerful to interview the men on video and produce a short film that wove their stories together into one narrative arch. This was a more accessible and compelling way to share the experiences with a wide audience.

Former Guantánamo detainees are usually painted as one-dimensional caricatures and we rarely get to know them as people. What were their lives like before Guantánamo? What are they doing now to start over? What are their hopes, dreams and fears? What kinds of personalities do they have? By using video and the art of story telling, I hope viewers might have more reason to care about the important issues that surround indefinite detention once they realize what they have in common with the subjects of the film as fellow human beings.

I used sparse narration and avoided talking head commentary by lawyers and advocates. I felt it would be more effective to simply let the men speak for themselves. The purpose of the video was to provide an emotional connection to the issues by focusing only on the personal stories of the men involved. A web link appears at the end of the film for inspired audiences who want to investigate and learn more about things like rule of law and how to stay both safe and free in a troubled world.

Find out how to TAKE ACTION on these issues at
http://www.mediathatmattersfest.org/films/justice_denied/action

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• criminal justice
• human rights
• politics / government
• Guantánamo
• detainees
• ACLU

[missemsnitchesss]

i wish i could do something about this.

[mediathatmatters]

@missemsnitchesss We all can do something about this! Check out our Take Action links on our website! :]

[Minkki82]

Americans are dicks

[BloodofPatriots]

@kevp951 The government is crap but you're a traitorous coward for attacking the US military. Who do you think guarantees your freedom, putz? Lawyers? Courts? Hell, in Nazi Germany and USSR the lawyers and judges were either put against a wall or aided in the persecution of millions. Lawyers, like you, are the cowards.

[BloodofPatriots]

When's the ACLU going to go to Pakistan and Afghanistan to criticize the Taliban and Al Qaeda for the way they treat POWs?

[jmarielag18]

@lukev7 he knows exactly what happened in Guantanamo Bay Prison, as a matter of fact he allowed Water boarding to be a type of torture in this prison.

[jmarielag18]

@adatheraider media doesnt like to do these kinds of stories, unfortunately. Why? because they simply have to be "censored" or something and are usually not allowed to be aired.

[kevp951]

I'm American, but what pieces of crap the American military and government is

[weaselxx]

i seriously feel for these men, no one would understand the suffering they endured

[CRAZYJ10ify]

I really don't know anything else but to say they all came off like some likeable guys that didn't seem to pose a threat to anyone.I will not lie the US System is not always correct for instance I just got done watching a video where a guy was being released after years in prison thanks to DNA.I am glad to know that they are trying to move on from their horrible expeirence.

[retepnotpu]

your a terrorist go to jail

[markee871]

my heart is SHATTERED for these men, GOD IS ALMIGHTY AND SEES/HEARS EVERYTHING...especially injustice