Control Room

Media:	DVD
Directed by:	Jehane Noujaim
Starring:
Release date:	26 October, 2004
List price:	~~$26.98~~
Our price:	$19.22 that is 29% off!

Control Room

Average rating: Stars

Very insightful

I can't help but give this video five stars because it covers the war in a totally different light not covered at all in North America. I was truely surprised at how good the content was and it showed everything from right there at CENTCOM's HQ's so you will see the interactions with all the other media outlets. Another reviewer said that it is propaganda from the other side, which is essentially true but a picture says a thousand words. I was most impressed by one of the producers of Al Jazeera when he said that he has "total faith in the U.S. Constitution". I was struck by a saddened feeling because you never hear any Americans talking that way anymore.

Another aspect that struck me was the looks on the American Military PR officers when they were giving their viewpoint. They seemed like they were 'plugged in', transcribing only what they were told to or maybe they were just plain ignorant in foriegn affairs. You could even see the disgust in the other journalists in that they seemed to think, "where did they dig this guy up from".

This video is very important because it covers the other side of the story. I have no affection for Al Jazeera whatsoever but the lack of information in our media system has left a gaping hole that needs to be filled. War is not a bloodless game of cards and video games, as the American media has portrayed to the public with the 55 most wanted playing cards and the video game smart bomb clips of the war and so on. War is a very bloody reality in which many innocent people and soldiers are dying every single day. As a veteran of four wars, I am much more critical nowadays of the justifications that governments set on going to war.

This film is a must have for anyone studying propaganda, media, or contemporary politics and it will serve to be another piece of the puzzle. I would also recommend another documentary that I just saw, "Orwell Rolls in His Grave". This is the most definative video that I have seen up to date concerning the corporate ownership of our media in the U.S. and the propaganda it serves and is narrated by Congressmen, ex-anchors, MIT professors, and other true media experts from all around the country. That video has received five stars all across the board and truely is a gem.

Control Room -

a usefull alternative perspective

I think Control Room is vitally important because it demonstrates that all virtually all media is slanted in one way or another. al-Jazeera catches so much flak from right wingers in this country, but it's clear that what the U.S. media does isn't that much different.

I've shown this documentary in entry-level classes to mostly college freshman and most seem to come away with a greater understanding of what type of media they consume. I've received comments that suggests to me this film can have a profound impact on those who watch it. For that, this film is very valuable. Most people, I think would benefit from watching it.

The most optimistic part of the film includes the portions with a young U.S. soldier that appeared to be working behind the lines in some administrative function. You get to listen to his conversations with Arab journalists and hear how the two sides interact. It's a vastly positive exchange. It makes me feel more hopeful that things will eventually be ok in Iraq. Watch this film and try be more like the young soldier.

- Control Room

Propaganda From Another Country's Perspective

Al Jazeera is a communication network that broadcasts its messages to the Arab world from its home base in Saudi Arabia. Since the U.S. invasion of Iraq, this network has enjoyed greater publicity and has increased its following largely because of its outspoken opposition to the war. This documentary takes the viewer on a trip inside this controversial communications operation and lets you see what goes on behind the scenes.

Many people operate this network operation and the vast majority f them have a decidedly anti- American bias. This isn't because of any inherent disliking of Americans, it's because of the U.S. led invasion in Iraq. The different members of this business come forward on the documentary and openly express their opposition to this U.S. led war, stating their opinions on the unethical foundation of the war, the hypocrisy, and the false pretenses that led an arrogant nation to forcibly change the leadership of a foreign country.

What I like best about this documentary is the bluntness of the people on the screen. They hold back nothing when they express their collective outrage and while some of them make statements that seem a little naÃ¯ve, others make comments that are intelligent and thought- provoking. They vow to continue to tell people the other side of the story so that the world will know exactly what takes place each day as the U.S. and allied forces battle for political control in Iraq.

Some of the scenes in this documentary are gruesome, with bloodied bodies lying dead in plain view; open wounds on the bodies of young children; and other nasty stuff. Of course, the Al Jazeera network intends it this way. They want the world to see the brutality of war, up close and personal.

Al Jazeera is an anti- war operation and its members are quite vocal in their opposition to Bush, the United States, and other countries who have chosen to fight in the Iraqi conflict. The documentary is very biased, which is ironic when you consider that the mission of Al Jazeera is to expose the propaganda of the U.S. and other countries. But "Control Room" is still a good documentary to watch. It's nice to see and hear some information from the other side rather than be blasted day after day with pro- war sentiments from the U.S. media and pro- war propaganda from the U.S. military.