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A Revealing 'Standard Operating Procedure'

By Marcos Bernal-Salas

Friday, April 25, 2008

If there’s any truth that a picture is worth a thousands words then The Abu Ghraib photographs that surfaced almost four years ago in the media had a lot to say. Errol Morris taps into the controversial pictures, the people behind them and the overall effect they had as an expose and cover up in ‘Standard Operating Procedures’. The questions run the very gamut that many filmmakers – or politicians – have never dared to ask. ‘SOP’ is by far the most vibrant, daring and outstanding feature documentary to date that not only informs the audience about the Iraq War, Abu Grhaib and the country’s image but takes a stand on the issues itself. For that, Morris not only deserves an honorable award but a standing ovation for having a truthful point of view.

‘Standard Operating Procedures’ starts off in a chronological manner documenting and interviewing the people involved in the photographs – the military personnel behind the camera taking the pictures that shocked the world. The documentary has this sort of CSI approach to the evidence at hand, experts examine the context and content of the photographs and it all reveals what was happening out of the frame and in the soldier’s mind at the time. Perhaps, the most interesting interviewee is Lynndie England whom you might remember as the young Private First Class female soldier posing in most of the infamous pictures. Morris even says; “I often think that if cameras had not been present, these events would have not occurred. The pyramid [picture] is an example.” Whether or not you like her is a different idea, but overall in ‘SOP’ her unfiltered approach shows that she was not only young and naïve but perhaps perfectly dim to partake in such actions. The latter is something that comes across often through out the interviews of all the soldiers – that is anyone below high ranking command – and perhaps serves both as a defense and clear admission of the things happening in Abu Ghraib.

The question is whether the audience will accept ‘SOP’ as evidence of the systematic abuse by the American military or simply a documentary on the erratic behavior of a few ‘bad’ men? Morris does enough and plenty to present the evidence throughout the film. But perhaps the most shocking part within the documentary is the interview of the photo-investigator – who also served as the prosecution expert. Brent Pack is not only able to determine when, where and whom was taking the pictures but he sheds light onto what is considered the military’s standard operating procedure. The exposure is not only shocking but it definitely will ask the question about us as a society – as to what are out values and how we – Americans – define ourselves as a society. The timing of release for ‘SOP’ is also perfect and indicative that everyone is starting to think more consciously about the war in Iraq these days – trying to find a solution and helping to see what really goes on in Abu Ghraib and the military procedures. On and all, ‘SOP’ does more than any other feature documentary, it tackles the hot issues of the war in Iraq – but also makes the audience think where exactly does one stand on them?

For More Information on the film check out the Official Website