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City of Ghosts
By Jeffrey Anderson,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Terrifying, essential docu about journalists fighting ISIS.
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City of Ghosts
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What's the Story?
In CITY OF GHOSTS, documentarian Matthew Heineman (Cartel Land) tells the story of several journalists, who, after ISIS began taking over the city of Raqqa in Syria, started reporting on the insurgents' illicit, shocking activities. They call their group RBSS (for "Raqqa Is Being Slaughtered Silently"), and their roster includes spokesman Aziz, reporter Mohamad, and cameraman Hamoud. All quickly find their lives in danger; constantly threatened by members of ISIS, they must go on the run, first across the border to Turkey and then to Germany. Using intel from brave souls still in Syria, the journalists continue to publish stories that the international media circulates to the rest of the world. But hiding and living in fear eventually begins to take its toll.
Is It Any Good?
Heineman's documentary may be a little static, but with its sympathetic depiction of fear and hiding, it paints a vivid, terrifying portrait of life under a powerful, evil regime. Heineman (of the Oscar-nominated Cartel Land) captures his journalist subjects after they've left Syria; while they still publish regularly, they mostly sit in safe houses and rely on others to supply stories and images. Still, they're targets and are continually threatened and hunted by ISIS.
City of Ghosts has a lot of harsh imagery, from pictures of executions and ISIS' beheaded victims to recruiting videos that brainwash children into joining the "cause." A demonstration in Berlin turns alarmingly violent as well. The movie juxtaposes this reality with quiet moments spent with members of the RBSS, exploring both their bravery and their fear. In one striking segment, Aziz breaks out a private collection of photographs and then tries to smoke a cigarette while he begins to involuntarily tremble. It all makes an unforgettable impact.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about City of Ghosts' violence. How does its impact compare to what you might seen in a fictional drama/thriller? Are some types of violence "better" than others?
What is the movie saying about the role of journalists/the press? How does the news affect kids?
How does the movie show the importance of courage? Why is that a key character strength?
Does the movie balance humanity and reporting? Do we learn who these people are? How or why?
What did you learn from this film that you didn't know before? Had you seen any of it on the news?
Movie Details
- In theaters: July 7, 2017
- On DVD or streaming: October 3, 2017
- Director: Matthew Heineman
- Studios: Amazon Studios , IFC Films
- Genre: Documentary
- Character Strengths: Courage
- Run time: 92 minutes
- MPAA rating: R
- MPAA explanation: disturbing violent content, and for some language
- Last updated: February 26, 2022
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