HONORING
The Mauritanian
Kevin Macdonald, Director
Adam Ackland, Producer
Leah Clarke, Producer
Mohamedou Ould Slahi, Writer, Guantánamo Diary, Co-Producer
Rory Haines, Screenwriter
Sohrab Noshirvani, Screenwriter
Directed by Kevin Macdonald and based on the NY Times best-selling memoir “Guantánamo Diary” by Mohamedou Ould Slahi, The Mauritanian is the inspiring true story of Slahi’s fight for freedom. Slahi was detained in Mauritania, then imprisoned at Gitmo for 14 years under suspicion of being involved in the 9/11 terror attacks. Tortured, alone and afraid, Slahi (Tahar Rahim) finds allies in defense attorney Nancy Hollander (Jodie Foster) and her associate Teri Duncan (Shailene Woodley) who battle the U.S. government in a fight for justice that tests their commitment to the law and their client at every turn. Their controversial advocacy, along with evidence uncovered by a formidable military prosecutor, Lt. Colonel Stuart Couch (Benedict Cumberbatch), uncovers shocking truths and ultimately proves that the human spirit cannot be locked up. STX Films' The Mauritanian is a powerful, must-watch film that is already gaining nominations and awards.
“I got struck by the light that would come out of his face. If there’s a reason why I wanted to make the movie, apart from Kevin and the story and everything, it’s Mohamedou. He’s an extraordinary soul.”
— TAHAR RAHIM
MPAC applauds the writers and director for showing us Mohamedou’s beautiful life, family, and community in Mauritania before he was detained, providing a glimpse of humanity that audiences rarely see. We congratulate all of the creatives on the film’s illumination of the weaponization of fear and the transformational impact of listening and really hearing another person’s story. And we are in awe of the performances of the actors who bring this incredible story to life: Tahar’s breathtaking portrayal of Mohamedou, Jodie’s impassioned portrayal of Nancy’s commitment to justice, Shailene showing us Teri’s humanity in being torn between family and career, and Benedict’s character Stuart teaching us that integrity is more important than following orders. We honor them all for their tremendous work on this brilliant film.
MPAC President Salam Al-Marayati was the first American Muslim to observe conditions at the Guantánamo Bay Detention Camp in 2007. He sat down for a conversation with Mohamedou, the actor who portrays him, Tahar Rahim, and Jodie Foster, who won a Golden Globe for her portrayal of his impassioned defense attorney, Nancy Hollander. In 2015, Mohamedou’s memoir Guantánamo Diary was published — the first work by a still-detained inmate at the American detention camp.
Watch the webinar: http://mpac.org/mauritanian
Read Salam's takeaways from his visit to the detention center here.