INTS121 Assessment 1: Bitter Lake PDF

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A critical appraisal of Bitter Lake Introduction: The film Bitter Lake, released in 2015, exposed a world previously unknown to many viewers. It explores the complex and at times confusing conflicts that have occurred throughout the middle east for decades, focussing primarily on Afghanistan. Director Adam Curtis explores Saudi Arabia’s relationship with the West and the role it plays in the conflict in Afghanistan. The film argues that western politicians have manufactured an over- simplified story about extremist Islam reducing it to a simplistic, good versus evil argument. The film evokes a feeling of disquiet. Is the West to blame for the current turmoil that is plaguing Afghanistan to this day? Is entrenched corruption in Afghan society a creation of the West? Can the creation of branches of radical Islam such as the Taliban and al-Qaeda be pinpointed to one pivotal moment in the world’s history? These are some of the questions, answered by Curtis through Bitter Lake. This paper will evaluate the key messages and ideas through critically analysing the central message that the West’s over simplification of a multi-faceted issue essentially created the political instability and conflict that persists in Afghanistan. Although at times Curtis also oversimplifies this complex global issue and potentially loses sight of the truth, ultimately his film is a triumph. It is acknowledged as an informative cinematic masterpiece about a very dark chapter of human history. 1 Central Message, and why it was convincing: The film explores the intricate and complex issues of the Middle East specifically focussing on Afghanistan and how western interference and the dream of democracy has devastated an already weak nation. The over simplification of Afghanistan’s issues by America and other Western nations is the main point of the video. Curtis himself perfectly sums up the central message of the film in one of the closing scenes when he states, ‘western politicians are going to have to accept that the simple division between good and evil doesn’t exist’. The idea of

1 Jason Bourke, 'The Great Game: Adam Curtis’S Bitter Lake | TV | Sight & Sound' (British Film Institute, 2016) accessed 17 August 2017.

this over simplistic good versus evil approach is reiterated throughout the film.2 One of the most obvious examples of this is when the film tells the story about British troops being sent to the city of Helmond in southern Afghanistan in 2006. Armed groups had begun an uprising and there was constant fighting. When the troops arrived they instantly sided with the police, without understanding that the police were appointed by corrupt government officials and were the ones terrorising the civilians. The civilians then saw the British troops working with the police and turned against them. The real Taliban who were predominantly based in Pakistan saw this as an opportunity to return to the region and attack the British. The over simplified story read: Western forces were ‘good’ and all the different groups that were attacking them were Taliban and ‘bad’. This is one of numerous examples throughout the film that shows that Western nations took neoliberal approach to solving Afghanistan’s instability and corruption, instead of evaluating the situation and basing their decisions off the evidence they use tactics that would have perhaps worked in a highly developed western country. From afar Western leaders applied simplistic political tactics towards Afghanistan, a nation with a very different culture about which many Western leaders had little understanding. Western nations attempted to view these issues as black and white when in reality the complexity and repercussions were enormous. Damaging counter-evidence that would lead us to think the film’s message is suspect: Curtis creates the film not to sway the audience’s opinion on the issues presented, but to enlighten many on a conflict stricken area of the world, which so many are unaware of. Although throughout the majority of the film Curtis presents and unbiased recount of historical events there are moments in which he does the very thing that he accuses Western nations of doing, oversimplifying complex issues.3 This is evident in his language and tone when he refers to the Wahhabis’ and Wahhabism in general. His own cultural bias is unmistakable when he states, ‘violent, intolerant and above all backwards looking version of 2 Adam Curtis, 'Adam Curtis On How The West Fooled Itself' (Telegraph.co.uk, 2017) accessed 15 August 2017.

3 Sam Wollaston, 'Bitter Lake – Review: Adam Curtis’S Beautiful, Gripping Film Unravels A Story Of Violence, Bloodshed And Bitter Ironies' (the Guardian, 2015) accessed 22 August 2017.

Islam, that remained at the heart of Saudi Arabian society’ and ‘radical, violet and extremely puritanical’. Curtis’ negative and almost afraid tone during these, and other descriptions of Wahhabism creates a sense of orientalism throughout parts of the film. Curtis briefly presents anti-Taliban fighter, leader of the Northern Rebel alliance, commander Ahmad Shah Massoud who was killed by al-Qaida the day before their attack on the world trade centre on September 11th, 2001 as Afghanistan’s last hope in a divided war torn country. He was a hero to many in Afghanistan but he was also a divisive figure who could be as opportunistic as Afghanistan’s other Mujahedeen leaders.4 He received millions of dollars from the Central Intelligence Agency to fight the Taliban and gain intelligence on al-Qaida but was despised by many because he was one of the warlords who helped destroy Kabul with indiscriminate shelling during the civil war in the 1990s. He was implicated in serious human rights abuses, including a massacre in Kabul. Although Massoud did assist the west in fighting the Taliban, he was opposed to the US ‘invasion’ of Afghanistan and Curtis’ portrayal may have not been completely historically accurate. These inconsistencies however do not take away from the legitimacy of his film. Overall, the film catches the West’s terrible arrogance, the casual projection of foreign culture and ideals on to a distant country and the readiness to abandon the ordinary people of that nation when the experiment starts going wrong.5 Conclusion: Overall Curtis’ Bitter Lake is an innovative look at a pivotal time for western and middle eastern relationships. It explores a brief history of conflict in Afghanistan and both Saudi Arabia and US involvement. The Wests over simplification into a good versus evil battle is explored throughout the film and shows us ultimately how Afghanistan suffered as a result and long-lasting repercussions have been experienced throughout the world since. References: 4 Erin Cunningham, 'Ahmad Shah Massoud, Assassinated By Al Qaeda But No Friend Of The US' (The National, 2011) accessed 13 August 2017. 5 Emma Graham-Harrison, 'Bitter Lake Is A Brilliant Portrayal Of The West's Terrible Arrogance In Afghanistan' (the Guardian, 2015) accessed 14 August 2017.

Bourke J, 'The Great Game: Adam Curtis’ Bitter Lake | TV | Sight & Sound' (British Film Institute, 2016) accessed 17 August 2017 Cunningham E, 'Ahmad Shah Massoud, Assassinated by Al Qaeda But No Friend Of The US' (The National, 2011) accessed 13 August 2017 Curtis A, 'Adam Curtis On How The West Fooled Itself' (Telegraph.co.uk, 2017) accessed 15 August 2017 Graham-Harrison E, 'Bitter Lake Is A Brilliant Portrayal Of The West's Terrible Arrogance In Afghanistan' (the Guardian, 2015) accessed 14 August 2017 Wollaston S, 'Bitter Lake – Review: Adam Curtis’ Beautiful, Gripping Film Unravels A Story Of Violence, Bloodshed And Bitter Ironies' (the Guardian, 2015) accessed 22 August 2017...