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Representation of Homeland Security in "Zero Dark Thirty"
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Representation of Homeland Security in "Zero Dark Thirty"
Introduction
"Zero Dark Thirty" (2012), directed by Kathryn Bigelow, offers a realistic portrayal of
the hunt for Osama bin Laden that spans over ten years, focusing on the issues of Homeland
Security and counterterrorism. Due to the extremity of the film and realistic depiction of
intelligence work, the film has generated debates on how far it is from the actual events, and the
ethical issues that have been raised, primarily concerning the use of torture. The film is,
therefore, an example of postmodernism that produces social constructs of the American reality
on strategies and practices of U. S national security. This essay describes intelligence operations
in the movie, evaluates the historical accuracy and the degree of the dramatic representation,
analyzes the ethical issues reflected in the movie, and investigates how the director, the
cinematographic techniques, the sound, and other elements used by Bigelow support the theme
and the messages of the movie.
Research Approach
1. Academic Sources on Homeland Security and Counterterrorism
The ''Zero Dark Thirty'' gives a realistic view of the intelligence collection process,
especially concerning the counter-terrorism efforts of the CIA. The film's storyline depicts a very
efficient system where brutal interrogation, swift decision-making, and personal heroism are the
main success factors. However, as the academic research by Levitt (2021) suggests, there is
much more to it. According to Levitt, after 9/11, U. S. counterterrorism has evolved to less
reactive, longer-term, cooperative, legalistic forms of intelligence-based activities. This
complexity is something that the film's narrative needs to capture and could lead a viewer to a
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misunderstanding of the work of counterterrorism operatives, which is not always dynamic and
active but might take a lot of time and can be rather bureaucratic at times.
Furthermore, Miller et al. (2021) analyze the ethical aspects of counterterrorism and
especially the utilization of the "torture techniques" that "Zero Dark Thirty" represents. Despite
the fact that these techniques are suggested to have been helpful in obtaining Bin Laden in the
film, real-world evidence challenges the efficiency of such techniques and the negative impact
they cause on the ethical climate of intelligence information. Miller and colleagues state that the
depiction of such methods might cause misunderstanding among the public, thereby encouraging
acceptance of unethical practices in research, which, indeed, are a subject of much controversy
within the discipline.
2. Film Critiques and Professional Reviews
“Zero Dark Thirty” has raised a lot of controversy among movie critics and intelligence
operatives, and has been applauded as well as criticized. Roger Ebert (2013) has stated that the
movie has a great storyline and is nearly accurate as it portrays the real-life drama of hunting
Osama bin laden. However, he raises argument on the ethical placement of the film – torture and
the result that it portrays as effective in intelligence gathering. The Wilson Center (2013) also
complains that the film distorts some interrogation methods that are prohibited in various parts of
the world such as waterboarding, in a way that could make the audience have the impression that
they were of significant use in the actual hunt for Bin Laden. This combination of truth and
fiction gives the audience a twisted view of Homeland Security operations rather focusing on the
ethical and legal issues that a professional in intelligence has to deal with. The representations of
such issues by the media, therefore, may contribute to the oversimplification and sensationalism
of national security issues.
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Analysis of Film Elements and Their Effectiveness
1. Direction and Cinematography
In Zero Dark Thirty, the direction by Kathryn Bigelow is an essential element in creating
the theme of tension and the portrayal of intelligence work. She employs a documentary
technique and intermingles it with a dramatic narrative technique to ‘immerse’ the audience
‘deeper’ into the dynamism and even chaotic nature of counter-terrorism. Her utilization of hand-
held cameras, and tight close-up shots undoubtedly, puts the viewer right into the theatre of
dramatic moments including interrogations as well as espionage operations hence giving the
audience a real life feel of the events depicted in the film (Ebert, 2013). The attack on Bin
Laden’s house is a good example where night vision effect and real time pacing give a sense of
urgency and tense. This visual strategy does not only represent the aspect of the unpredictability
and danger of intelligence missions, but also helps the viewers to experience the tension and
pressure that agents feel in the field.
2. Production Design and Sound
In “Zero Dark Thirty”, the settings are accurately captured in the production to reflect
areas associated with Homeland Security and intelligence including the CIA offices, areas
affected by war and interrogation facilities. Many of the props used in the film are realistic such
as the military equipment and the tactical technology used in the real intelligence and military.
This realism is also supported by Alexandre Desplat’s sound design that uses little music to stir
up tension. The diegetic sound is used most of the time and it is minimized to footsteps, sound of
distant explosions, and other such sounds that come in the background. This low sound
approach, combined with systematic use of quietness, raises the films tension level and plunges
the viewers into the films’ action-packed scenes (Wilson Center, 2013). The two aspect of the
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visual and audio presentation enhances the film’s depiction of counterterrorism operations and
makes the show realistic.
3. Editing and Acting
The editing work in “Zero Dark Thirty” is essential to sustaining the film’s suspense
which is reminiscent of the actually existing job of intelligence agents. The use of nonlinear
timeline serves the purpose of keeping the audience engaged as it reflects the nature of
intelligence gathering. Certain scenes such as the intelligence briefings and the assault on Bin
Laden’s compound are depicted to depict the essential aspects such as the sense of impending
doom that defines the action scenes. Probably, the role played by Jessica Chastain as Maya
brings out the emotional aspect of a CIA analyst that ranges from determination to vulnerability.
She brings subtlety and humanity, and showcases the human side as well as how the pursuit of
counterterrorism creates moral dilemmas.
Accuracy and Ethical Representation
1. Realism in the Depiction of Homeland Security Operations
In its attempt to capture the realism of Homeland Security work, ‘Zero Dark Thirty’
oversimplifies and dramatizes important aspects of its storyline to fit the intended portrayal.
Levitt, (2021) pointed out that real counter terrorism is more about intelligence work and less
about an agent overcoming the odds; the work of numerous organizations and international
cooperation. The film, however, focuses on the obsessive pursuit of the goal by Maya, the CIA
analyst, which gives a rather limited vision of the work of an intelligence officer. This portrayal
trivializes the operations of Homeland Security which involves several factors including a
complex bureaucratic process, cooperation of different agencies, and geopolitical factors. It is
important to note that by focusing on a rather linear, and very individualistic hunt for Bin Laden,
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the film distorts the complex and often contradictory context within which real life intelligence
analysts works, thus providing a somewhat misleading vision of counterterrorism operations.
2. Ethical Issues in Counterterrorism as Represented in the Film
Some ethical issues that have been depicted in the film particularly the “enhanced
interrogation techniques” have raised a lot of controversy. It is for this reason critics have
accused the movie “Zero Dark Thirty” of providing a wrong perception of the roles of these
techniques noting that these techniques played a key role in identifying the whereabouts of
Osama Bin Laden despite available evidence to show that this was not the case (Miller et al.,
2021). The Wilson Center (2013) has stated that such portrayals have the ability to shape the
public opinion significantly, and in the process make unethical acts seem acceptable. Indeed this
dramatization while giving the audience an idea of how Homeland Security operates, poses the
danger of compromising ethical benchmarks and historical facts (Homeland Security Committee,
2022). This is perhaps the reason why the narrative of the film may tend to justify the use of
some perceived unethical methods of interrogation hence affecting the change of perception of
viewers on counter terrorism ethics. In this manner, the film distorts the reality in terms of
counterterrorism morality while reflecting it and endorsing the existing politicized perceptions.
Public Perception and the Impact of the Film
1. Shaping Public Understanding
‘Zero Dark Thirty’ has been a key in influencing the viewer’s perception of Homeland
Security and counter terrorism through sensationalism and sensationalized portrayal. The film
also focuses on aspects like the use of torture and therefore gives the audience a rather crude idea
of the issues that are at the heart of counter terrorism measures (Tikkanen, 2024). Thus,
concentrating on such elements, the film distorts viewers’ perception of reality and makes the
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audience think that such actions are quite normal and efficient in the field of intelligence. This
portrayal distorts the complex and frequently ethically ambiguous character of actual
counterterrorism activities, which have various legal, moral, and tactical dimensions. As a result,
the movie can help to perpetuate ignorance of the level of the actual efficacy of such procedures
and their impact on others, thus distorting the picture of the field’s true nature.
2. Influence on Policy and Opinion
The depiction of interrogations in ‘Zero Dark Thirty’ has impacted not only the general
audience but also the policy-making processes. Due to the portrayal of some of the controversies,
the film has generated a lot of controversy regarding their morality and efficacy. This argument
has spread through policy making forums which has made a clear show of the effects of the film
to its audience (Wilson Center, 2013). While several strategies of interrogation have been used,
policymakers and commentators have questioned the morality and, in fact, the use of such
techniques besides the continued arguing about their place in counter-terrorism. Therefore, “Zero
Dark Thirty” has shifted from being just a source of entertainment and information to an
influential element in the counterterrorism practices’ discussion. It has presented events in a
dramatic manner and has thus played a part in shaping the perception of people and authorities
on the ethicality of the interrogation methods, impacting on the issues of national security policy.
The interconnection of the media portrayal and the policy within the framework of this film
emphasises the extent to which the film influenced the formation of public and political
perception of such important concerns.
3. Reception by Different Groups
”Zero Dark Thirty” has stirred the feelings of different groups of society and therefore the
film has a universal influence in the society. Some political analysts have applauded the movie
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for being very realistic in portraying counterterrorism operations which they feel is a true
reflection of the real lives of the security organizations. On the other hand, security specialists
have noted that the film romanticizes and vindicates ethically ambiguous interrogation methods
and thus distorts the public’s perception of the efficiency of such practices (Wilson Center,
2013). On the other hand, human rights activists have condemned the movie for its ability to
promote and justify torture, which is against ethical and human rights. Such range of reactions
only points to the fact that the film is not a passive tool in influencing the views of the audience.
In this regard, its portrayal can be seen in two ways: as informative of real-life situations or as a
representation that encourages continued use of certain questionable practices.
Conclusion
The film ‘Zero Dark Thirty’ closely follows the successful operation against Osama bin
Laden and is supposed to depict Homeland Security operations and counterterrorism correctly;
however, it mixes factual events with fiction. Despite the fact that the film is able to probe into
the level of production elements such as direction, cinematography and sound in order to present
the concepts of the movie, it also poses the essential questions of truth and morality in portraying
the real life intelligence work. The effects that such films have on the minds of the people as well
as the policy makers show the importance of having factual and constructive representation of
issues such as Homeland Security. To this end, future studies should focus on analysing the role
of film and media and its impact on the formation of national security.
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Reference
Bigelow, K. (2013). Watch Zero Dark Thirty (2013). Goojara.to.
https://ww1.goojara.to/mB4AZm
Ebert, R. (2013, January 2). Zero Dark Thirty movie review (2013) | Roger Ebert.
Rogerebert.com; RogerEbert.com. https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/zero-dark-thirty-
2013
Homeland Security Committee. (2022). Counterterrorism, Law Enforcement, and Intelligence –
Committee on Homeland Security. https://homeland.house.gov/intelligence-and-
counterterrorism/
Levitt, M. (2021). Rethinking U.S. Efforts on Counterterrorism: Toward a Sustainable Plan Two
Decades After 9/11. Washingtoninstitute.org.
https://www.washingtoninstitute.org/sites/default/files/pdf/Levitt20210610-
JNSLPTransitionReprint.pdf
Miller, S., Henschke, A., & Jonas Feltes Feltes. (2021). Counter-Terrorism The Ethical Issues.
Edward Elgar Publishing.
Tikkanen, A. (2024). Zero Dark Thirty | film by Bigelow [2012] | Britannica. In Encyclopædia
Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Zero-Dark-Thirty
Wilson Center. (2013, April 27). The Efficacy and Ethics of U.S. Counterterrorism Strategy.
Wilson Center. https://www.wilsoncenter.org/event/the-efficacy-and-ethics-us-
counterterrorism-strategy
