“Guantanamo: Blacked Out Bay” takes viewers on a rare and eye-opening journey into the infamous Guantanamo Bay Detention Center (GTMO) in Cuba. Led by Vice News reporter Gianna Toboni, the documentary offers a glimpse into the inner workings of the world’s most notorious prison, notorious for its dehumanizing conditions and the arbitrary imprisonment of foreign individuals.
Accompanied by her crew, Toboni embarks on an official media tour of the facility, navigating the strict regulations surrounding filming in order to prevent sensitive information from leaking. The tour begins at Camp X-Ray, where the first detainees were held in outdoor cells exposed to extreme heat and sun, offering a stark reminder of the prison’s early days. Moving through various cell blocks, Toboni witnesses the force-feeding area, a distressing sight where hunger-striking prisoners are involuntarily given nutrients.
While the media tour grants some access to Guantanamo, there are clear limitations imposed by prison officials. When Toboni’s interview questions veer too far from the approved narrative, the tour abruptly ends, and the film crew is asked to leave. Left with unresolved questions, Toboni seeks out firsthand accounts from former detainees and guards to shed light on life inside GTMO.
One such account comes from Mustafa Ait Idir, who shares his harrowing experience of being transferred to Guantanamo despite being acquitted of charges against him. He recounts the initial days of detention, enduring degrading treatment such as being forced to lie naked on the cold cement floor. Another perspective is provided by Terry Holdbrooks, a former guard turned anti-GTMO activist, who witnessed the violence and humiliation inflicted upon the prisoners and now advocates for the closure of the center.
“Guantanamo: Blacked Out Bay” approaches this weighty topic with a unique blend of humor and respect. It acknowledges the importance of national security efforts while shedding light on the plight of those wrongly imprisoned, caught in the crossfire of the war on terror. The documentary raises thought-provoking questions about the future of GTMO, leaving viewers pondering whether the promised closure of the center will ever become a reality.