The Prisoner Or: How I Planned to Kill Tony Blair

The new film from Gunner Palace filmmakers Petra Epperlein and Michael Tucker, The Prisoner Or: How I Planned to Kill Tony Blair documents the treatment of an Iraqi journalist at the hands of overzealous American soldiers. Along with his three brothers, said journalist was suspected of plotting the assassination of no less than British Prime Minister Tony Blair. The siblings eventually wound up at the infamous Abu Ghraib prison, where they were physically and mentally tortured for months – though there was evidently no evidence against them. It’s a straight-forward and far-from-surprising story that’s punctuated with comic book elements, including cartoonish illustrations, pointed sound effects, and distinctly broad chapter breaks. And although the movie is ultimately hurt by the familiarity of the story – ie is anybody still shocked that American soldiers are arrogant and abusive? – Epperlein and Tucker’s subject is a fascinating speaker and it’s hard not to be drawn into his admittedly horrifying tale.

*** out of ****