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A Summary Of Zero Dark Thirty And Zero Dark Thirty

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In today’s modern and technology-driven world, there is nothing that quite influences public opinion like the media. When films on terrorism are made, especially based on real-life events, they can leave impressions on the audience that may be biased, depending on the portrayal of those involved. The films Zero Dark Thirty and In the Name of the Father are both based on real-life people and acts of terrorism, post- and pre-9/11 respectively. While these films have that fact in common, that is where the similarities stop. In the Name of the Father gives a sympathetic, moving look at the life and story of Gerry and Giuseppe Conlon, who were falsely accused of involvement with the IRA (the Irish Republican Army). On the other hand, Zero Dark Thirty retells the events leading up to the killing of Osama bin Laden, but also manages to perpetuate stereotypes of Pakistani and Muslim people, coming off less as a moving tale and more as American propaganda.
One of the most controversial and sensational films about focused on terrorism is Zero Dark Thirty. The film begins shortly after 9/11 with the two main characters of the film interrogating a man believed to be involved with the Saudi Group (more accurately the Saudi Bin Laden group, which they never elaborate on). The film wastes no time inserting narratives about Pakistani and Middle-Eastern people, in a very clear effort to distinguish them by their looks: long beards, traditional salwar kameez (Pakistani dress), and thick

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