Adam Curtis’ documentary, Bitter Lake, takes a deeper look at the often oversimplified narrative of militant Islam as one of good versus evil. The film examines why this explanation is becoming increasingly inadequate and facile.
Focusing on Afghanistan, the title Bitter Lake refers to the Great Bitter Lake in Egypt – part of the Suez Canal – and is symbolic of how the West has reduced complex issues down to simplistic binaries. Through interviews with expert commentators, news footage, and other primary sources, the documentary goes into depth about how Western governments and media have misrepresented events in Afghanistan – and around the world – to justify their own agendas.
The documentary also highlights human stories from Afghanistan that have been ignored or distorted by mainstream media coverage. Instead of viewing people through a lens of ‘us versus them’, it provides an alternative perspective on extremism as something that can be better understood if viewed through a wider historical context.
For anyone interested in gaining a more nuanced understanding of international affairs, Bitter Lake is essential viewing. It offers us an opportunity to broaden our perspectives which may even help us to resolve some of these international conflicts in more constructive ways. So do yourself a favour and watch this important documentary today!
