The Forever Prisoner (HBO)

About The Forever Prisoner (HBO)

"The Forever Prisoner" is a 2021 HBO documentary directed by renowned filmmaker Alex Gibney. The film meticulously explores the indefinite imprisonment and alleged torture of a suspected terrorist in the wake of the devastating 9/11 attacks.

The narrative revolves around Abu Zubaydah, who was falsely accused of being a high-ranking operative in the al-Qaeda network. Locked up in several covert, high-security sites across the globe, Zubaydah was subjected to the sorts of brutal interrogation techniques that toe the lines of war crimes.

Making / Production

The film is a product of Gibney's intricate storytelling and thorough research, offering a hard-hitting critique of the American administration's response to terrorism. Production involved accessing classified reports, tapes, and court documents, as well as interviewing key participants, including interrogators, analysts, and lawyers to present an unfiltered view.

Actors

• Abu Zubaydah: The documentary presents archival images and representations of Zubaydah, as well as eyewitness accounts and recreations to examine his complex character and the circumstances surrounding his continual detention.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• "The Forever Prisoner" is based on classified government documents and exclusive interviews with those involved in the case.
• Director Alex Gibney has won an Academy Award for his documentary work.

Awards

At the time of this writing, specific award data for "The Forever Prisoner" was not available.

Quotes

• "We tortured some folks." - Barack Obama
• "I remember being astonished that we were doing this (the tortures) to people..." - Interrogator, unnamed in the film

Music, Soundtrack

• The film's music and sound design adeptly enhance the ambiance of the documentary, creating a sense of suspense and anxiety that mirrors the subject matter.