Standard Operating Procedure

Standard Operating Procedure is a 2008 documentary film directed by the notable filmmaker, Errol Morris. The film stars Megan Ambuhl Graner, Javal Davis, and Ken Davis amongst others, and it delves into the notorious Abu Ghraib prison scandal that had been a significant point of global attention.

The title of the film, Standard Operating Procedure, immediately sets the tone for the thought-provoking material that awaits the viewer. The phrase is commonly used in various professional settings to describe a set of step-by-step instructions or guidelines to perform complex routine operations. However, in the context of the film, it evokes a sense of systematic inhumanity and the dark side of military practices, serving as an ironic commentary on the shocking turn of events the film focuses on.

The film chronicles the events that happened at the Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq in 2003, during the height of the Iraq War. It features the people who were directly involved in the scandal, including officers and soldiers such as Megan Ambuhl Graner, Javal Davis, and Ken Davis. Integrating a series of interviews, the documentary gives the audience a first-hand account of the experiences of those who were implicated in the scandal.

Standard Operating Procedure asks the audience to consider the complexities of war and the destructive capacities inherent in systems of power. There is a deep exploration of how normal people can act in ways that are "militarily acceptable" but morally reprehensible. These are reflected in the interviews with the American soldiers who were stationed at Abu Ghraib prison and were later called to answer for their actions.

The directors and producers of the film meticulously collected evidence and testimonials to piece together this dark period of recent history. Standard Operating Procedure utilizes photographs, clips, and depressive eerie sounds, accompanied by real accounts from the soldiers themselves to outline the prevalent ethos. It highlights the ambiguity of morality and ethics in a war zone where the lines separating the victim and the oppressor, the heroes and villains, often get blurred.

The film doesn’t just rely on the Abu Ghraib scandal as the crux of the story. It also delves into the broader, more systemic issues that lead to such events. It gives attention to the policy failures, leadership issues, and the sweeping culture of dehumanization that is often a by-product of war. By addressing the intricate workings of military machinery, the film aims to generate profound questions about the way we understand warfare and its implications.

Standard Operating Procedure uses these elements to create an atmosphere of tension and disturbing reality. The testimonies from the interviewed soldiers incapacitate viewers to the horrifying acts of abuse that were mentally and physically inflicted on the Iraqi prisoners. It also successfully evokes a sense of sorrow and anger, forcing the audience to question the standards of humanity.

Morris's direction and storytelling, backed by the superb photography of Robert Richardson, create a gripping narrative that maintains a solid grip on the viewer throughout the film. The cinematography is a stark contrast to the content: beautiful, yet capturing the stark, brutal behavior within the infamous prison.

In Standard Operating Procedure, the audience is confronted with the shocking realities of war, especially the harrowing impacts on those who find themselves in the crossfire. It is a film that starkly captures the adage "war is hell" in a brutally honest and profoundly disturbing manner.

This documentary isn’t just about the unspeakable horrors committed at the Abu Ghraib prison. It is a call to question the systems that allow or even facilitate such actions, and the ease with which such actions can be justified within the corridors of power.

In the end, Standard Operating Procedure leaves its audiences with an impacting, unsettling yet clear perspective of the breadth and depth of the Abu Ghraib prison scandal. It compels viewers to reflect upon the moral and human consequences of war, yanking off the mask of civil propriety we often associate with military might.

Lauded for its powerful storytelling and brave confrontation of a controversial topic, the film received critical acclaim worldwide. It remains one of the most poignant documentaries on the subject matter and is a must-watch for individuals wanting to understand the darker side of war.