"Hanging of Saddam" Gets 3 Stars

The "Hanging of Saddam" which hit computers a little over two weeks ago has been igniting controversey. The film, which was bootlegged and hit youtube immediately has been a smash hit, although feelings of the graphic film are polarizing. We haven't seen this much debate since Mel Gibson's "Passion of the Christ".

The "Hanging of Saddam" starts out from afar and attempts to zoom in on the main character, dictator, Saddam. But the camera's hesitacny and disruptiveness shows how Iraqis themselves are fearful of what this hanging might do: it will show the world how barbiac Iraqis are. Extra commotion is added by the littered Shiites hawking luggies while speaking. The film's added element of realism is done nicely with the documentary style of shaky movements. Great costumes too, the men carrying out the hanging having black hoods on: marvelous cowardice. When they place the noose around Saddam's (played by Saddam himself) neck, you feel like this is actually happening. The insides of your stomach are about to twist and turn. I tracked down some historical figures and accounts to see if, before a hanging, they yell "Allah Muhmmed". They do. True to real life. As their chants of "Allah" get increasingly louder, the viewer can sense the gravity of what's about to take place. The camera turns away as Saddam is given his last few words. I wondered in my seat, if they, the Iraqis, wanted to show that they didn't care for his words anymore, even his last ones. He had years to talk but now after all he's put them through, his efforts, or lack their of, goes unheard. And abruptly, like a real horror movie, Saddam falls through the door and the deed is done. Saddam is no more. He hear only the noise of the aftermath. Jibberish yells ring. Photos flash. There is Saddam's head, hanging, with his eyes open staring into this dank, stowed-away, basement's ceiling. The lifeless eyes of Saddam have to be one of the best moments in film history.

Well captured and documented, the "Hanging of Saddam" will be touring the Cannes Film Festival this Spring in hopes of garnering best documentary. This harrowing and grimacing story of the death of a tyrant is painful to watch. Yet one finds it harder to look away. In our hearts, we all want this man's head! This is true film making: grabbing our attention and making us feel. Saddam is portrayed as a battered soul who desprately needed the solace of more than Allah in his last waking moments. This film shines the blame and guilt back to the viewer. Aren't we criminal in our dastardly attempts at reconciling lives lost when we take one in the same vein as Saddam?