Zero Dark Thirty Director Points Critics to Washington

Kathryn Bigelow, undergoing criticism that her popular film “Zero Dark Thirty” depicts torture as a useful means of interrogation in the hunt for Osama bin Laden, recently pointed those critics back to U.S. officials who ordered such moves in the first place. Bigelow has come out saying that she personally abhors torture and is opposed to its use in any situation. She also noted, however, that torture was indeed a part of the hunt that eventually resulted in the capture and death of the al Qaeda leader.

“Those of us who work in the arts know that depiction is not endorsement,” Bigelow noted. She added, “I do wonder if some of the sentiments alternately expressed about the film might be more appropriately directed at those who instituted and ordered these U.S. policies, as opposed to a motion picture that brings the story to the screen.”

Bigelow’s film, nominated last week for five Academy Awards, was overlooked for an award in the category of best director. Most who pay attention to the awards feel that the snub is directly related to the negative publicity that the movie has received in the wake of criticism by some in high places in the U.S. government.

Bigelow notes that she personally believes that “Osama bin Laden was found due to ingenious detective work. Torture was, however, as we all know, employed in the early years of the hunt. That doesn’t mean it was the key to finding bin Laden. It means it is a part of the story we couldn’t ignore. War, obviously, isn’t pretty, and we were not interested in portraying this military action as free of moral consequences.”