TRIGGERnometry My 3 Years Inside Jihadi Rehab - Meg Smaker
Jan 5, 2023
In this engaging discussion, Meg Smaker, an award-winning filmmaker renowned for her provocative work on rehabilitation for former Guantanamo detainees, shares her journey from firefighting to exploring complex narratives in the Middle East. She delves into the challenges of creating her controversial film, navigating Sundance's backlash, and highlights the importance of diverse perspectives in storytelling. The conversation also touches on the nuances of humor in filmmaking and the implications of rehabilitation programs, urging listeners to rethink simplistic narratives surrounding extremism.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Afghan Hospitality
- Meg Smaker, after 9/11, traveled to Afghanistan seeking firsthand information.
- An Afghan family welcomed her, contradicting media portrayals of hostility.
Understanding, Not Denouncing
- Meg Smaker's film, "The Unredacted", explores the motivations of former Guantanamo detainees.
- It aims to understand rather than denounce, humanizing complex individuals.
Starfishing Terrorism
- Many young men join extremist groups due to a search for belonging.
- The simplistic U.S. response has worsened the problem, like starfish regenerating.
