key2thecup Posted December 23, 2012 Share Posted December 23, 2012 Rare Statement: The CIA Says Bigelow Film “Not Realistic Portrayal” The Central Intelligence Agency has issued a statement about Kathryn Bigelow’s film “Zero Dark Thirty.” This must be a first. I can’t remember a time the austere CIA said anything about a Hollywood film. But they are not happy. Of course this will probably create more interest in Bigelow’s film about the hunt for and killing of Osama Bin Laden. Acting Director Michael Morell’s statement follows. He also calls the deceased crazed killer “Usama.” We like “Osama.” (Tomato, Tomatto, let’s call the whole thing off!) Statement: I would not normally comment on a Hollywood film, but I think it important to put Zero Dark Thirty, which deals with one of the most significant achievements in our history, into some context. The film, which premiered this week, addresses the successful hunt for Usama Bin Ladin that was the focus of incredibly dedicated men and women across our Agency, Intelligence Community, and military partners for many years. But in doing so, the film takes significant artistic license, while portraying itself as being historically accurate. What I want you to know is that Zero Dark Thirty is a dramatization, not a realistic portrayal of the facts. CIA interacted with the filmmakers through our Office of Public Affairs but, as is true with any entertainment project with which we interact, we do not control the final product. It would not be practical for me to walk through all the fiction in the film, but let me highlight a few aspects that particularly underscore the extent to which the film departs from reality.First, the hunt for Usama Bin Ladin was a decade-long effort that depended on the selfless commitment of hundreds of officers. The filmmakers attributed the actions of our entire Agency—and the broader Intelligence Community—to just a few individuals. This may make for more compelling entertainment, but it does not reflect the facts. The success of the May 1st 2011 operation was a team effort—and a very large team at that.Second, the film creates the strong impression that the enhanced interrogation techniques that were part of our former detention and interrogation program were the key to finding Bin Ladin. That impression is false. As we have said before, the truth is that multiple streams of intelligence led CIA analysts to conclude that Bin Ladin was hiding in Abbottabad. Some came from detainees subjected to enhanced techniques, but there were many other sources as well. And, importantly, whether enhanced interrogation techniques were the only timely and effective way to obtain information from those detainees, as the film suggests, is a matter of debate that cannot and never will be definitively resolved.Third, the film takes considerable liberties in its depiction of CIA personnel and their actions, including some who died while serving our country. We cannot allow a Hollywood film to cloud our memory of them. Commentators will have much to say about this film in the weeks ahead. Through it all, I want you to remember that Zero Dark Thirty is not a documentary. What you should also remember is that the Bin Ladin operation was a landmark achievement by our country, by our military, by our Intelligence Community, and by our Agency. http://www.showbiz411.com/2012/12/22/rare-statement-the-cia-says-bigelow-film-not-realistic-portrayal https://www.cia.gov/news-information/press-releases-statements/2012-press-releasese-statements/message-from-adcia-zero-dark-thirty.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shift-4 Posted December 23, 2012 Share Posted December 23, 2012 *waits for CIA report on Lightsabers* Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ghostsof1915 Posted December 23, 2012 Share Posted December 23, 2012 Waits for the CIA reports on why a guy who defected to Russia, was allowed to come back the US with his Russian wife and eventually shoot a President. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dazzle Posted December 23, 2012 Share Posted December 23, 2012 Why wasn't the CIA up in arms over the movie "Pearl Harbor"? That movie was a disgrace to the soldiers in memory. Oh wait. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SkeeterHansen Posted December 23, 2012 Share Posted December 23, 2012 ...I don't find the CIA to be credible at all. I don't trust the CIA one bit. Does this make me a bad person? Just the fact that they're criticizing a movie...bleh. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
surtur Posted December 23, 2012 Share Posted December 23, 2012 CIA one of the most powerfully criminal organizations in the world... those guys? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Gumballthechewy Posted December 23, 2012 Share Posted December 23, 2012 Don't care what movie critics have to say about a movie so why would I care about what the CIA thinks? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MC Fatigue Posted December 24, 2012 Share Posted December 24, 2012 CIA in trenchcoats sitting in the back of the theatre reviewing a movie seems almost... right... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SkeeterHansen Posted December 24, 2012 Share Posted December 24, 2012 Don't care what movie critics have to say about a movie so why would I care about what the CIA thinks? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buddhas Hand Posted December 24, 2012 Share Posted December 24, 2012 ...I don't find the CIA to be credible at all. I don't trust the CIA one bit. Does this make me a bad person? Just the fact that they're criticizing a movie...bleh. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Gumballthechewy Posted December 24, 2012 Share Posted December 24, 2012 Because they climbin' in yo windows, snatchin yo' people up! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TOMapleLaughs Posted December 24, 2012 Share Posted December 24, 2012 At least they didn't include any spoilers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Gumballthechewy Posted December 24, 2012 Share Posted December 24, 2012 At least they didn't include any spoilers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SkeeterHansen Posted December 24, 2012 Share Posted December 24, 2012 I have a spoiler, Osama gets shot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TOMapleLaughs Posted December 24, 2012 Share Posted December 24, 2012 Did they go into how Bin Laden never actually existed? SPOILER. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Gumballthechewy Posted December 24, 2012 Share Posted December 24, 2012 YOU'RE LYING. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
key2thecup Posted December 24, 2012 Author Share Posted December 24, 2012 Did they go into how Bin Laden never actually existed? SPOILER. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erik Karlsson Posted December 24, 2012 Share Posted December 24, 2012 It's still funny how barely anyone knows Osama used to work for the CIA.... It was all set up..... The towers were built to withstand plane crashes and stuff like that... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. Ambien Posted December 24, 2012 Share Posted December 24, 2012 The CIA knows how susceptible the masses are to propaganda, especially in the form of entertainment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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