The University of Brighton’s screening of The Mauritanian, supported by the Lewes Amnesty International and University of Brighton Amnesty International groups, took place at the Lewes Depot on Tuesday 2nd November.
The film, The Mauritanian, directed by Kevin Macdonald, depicts the story of ex Guantanamo detainee Mohamedou Ould Slahi and is based on his memoirs, Guantanamo Diary. It tells the story of his unlawful detention and experiences of torture whilst at Guantanamo.
The screening was followed by an interesting and informative Q&A with the director Kevin Macdonald, ex detainee Mohamedou Ould Slahi and his lawyer Nancy Hollander, as well as Andy Worthington, investigative journalist and activist with expertise on the Guantanamo detention camp.
Through the telling of Mohamedou’s experience, the film seeks to raise awareness of the continued existence of the Guantanamo detention camp, the treatment of detainees, their continued detention and the obstacles the remaining detainees face for justice. This is particularly important in the lead up to Guantanamo Bay detention camp’s 20th anniversary and the efforts being made by activists to close the detention camp.
As with other films impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic, The Mauritanian has not reached the audience it would ordinarily have, had cinemas been open, despite the stellar cast and the excellent job it does telling the personal story of a man unlawfully detained and tortured. This is a real shame as Mohamedou Ould Slahi’s story as told in The Mauritanian is one more weapon that could be used to raise awareness about the ongoing existence of Guantanamo Bay, detainees still being held there without charge or trial, and the inhuman treatment the detainees have suffered.
The Mauritanian is available to watch on Amazon Prime Video. Click here to watch a trailer. (Parts of the movie, in particular scenes depicting torture, may be difficult to watch for some viewers.)
To read about Andy Worthington’s work on Guantanamo Bay’s detention camp, visit his website, Andy Worthington.
Nancy Hollander, Andy Worthington and Mohamedou Ould Slahi himself will be present at the University of Brighton’s virtual conference ‘Guantanamo: 20 Years After’ on the 12th and 13th November. Tickets for the conference can be bought on this page.