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Kill the Messenger

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Kill the Messenger (Facebook)
Kill the Messenger (Facebook)

What it's about:

In the mid-1990s, journalist Gary Webb (Jeremy Renner) uncovers information that shows the CIA was aware of major drug dealers who were smuggling huge amounts of cocaine into the United States and to use the profit to raise money for the Nicaraguan Contras rebel army.

Despite threats from drug kingpins and CIA operatives, Webb goes public with the evidence, publishing a series of articles.

However, he then becomes the target of a vicious smear campaign that threatens his career and family and drives him to the point of suicide.

What we thought:

The first thing that roped me in was that the film was based on a true story, the second was that it’s about on a journalist who used his right to freedom of speech, regardless of what the consequences were.

The story of Gary Webb, takes the viewers on a journey that should open their eyes to the dangers a journalist faces when handling classified information that the world deserves to know about.

The plot of the story also raises concern for how oblivious people can be about who they have chosen to run their country. Although an American film, it teaches a lesson that all people no matter which country should learn from.

With regards to the film itself, the story told in a way that will be easy for people to understand however, a lack of depth in the film will leave curious minds unsatisfied.

Jeremy Renner is the star of the film and manages to capture the emotions of pride, frustration, mercy and desperation perfectly. His persona will carry you through the film in a way that will have you researching the Nicaraguan Contras rebel army in an instant.

To fellow journos out there, give it a watch. The guts this man has will inspire you to be brutally honest no matter what!

To fellow news readers, also a must watch as it will open your eyes to the life of a journo and what they would do to give you the true story.


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