Camp X-Ray

IFC Films | Release Date: October 17, 2014

7.3	USER SCORE Generally favorable reviews based on 66 Ratings

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R6exOct 29, 2014

I find it quite amazing that they can stretch out a film into something engaging, when it revolves nothing more than guards pacing up and down 8 detainee cubicles. Its insightful as to how these "prison" camps operate. Granted that KristenI find it quite amazing that they can stretch out a film into something engaging, when it revolves nothing more than guards pacing up and down 8 detainee cubicles. Its insightful as to how these "prison" camps operate. Granted that Kristen Stewart is the star of the show, but I think Peyman Moaardi acted better. Kristen looks sweet as ever, but wasn't really able to make the final scene as touching as possible. Its a slow-moving but realistic movie. It could have been more, but ultimately unable to expand on some ethical issues. For a lazy afternoon, this movie is a good watch.… Expand

2 of 4 users found this helpful22

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DevilmathSep 27, 2015

Camp X-Ray is the first feature from Peter Sattler, who takes on writing and directing after many years as graphic designer for several notable films (Walk The Line, The Game Plan, Star Trek, Take Me Home Tonight). Entirely set in Guantanamo,Camp X-Ray is the first feature from Peter Sattler, who takes on writing and directing after many years as graphic designer for several notable films (Walk The Line, The Game Plan, Star Trek, Take Me Home Tonight). Entirely set in Guantanamo, the U.S. prison in Cuba, the story revolves around the unusual relationship between Cole, a rookie guard played by Kristen Stewart, and Ali, a suspected terrorist played by A Separation’s star Payman Maadi. Cold and indifferent, Cole doesn’t immediately get on well with Ali, who bothers her from the very beginning. Their quarrel over the presence of a Harry Potter book in the prison’s library is an original (although quite lenghty) device to introduce the two characters and set the premises for their relationship; it is also one of the few striking sequences in the film. Despite Sattler’s meticulous and researched approach to creating a plausible and realistic prison, Guantanamo is nothing but a setting for the conflict between the two main characters.

This choice creates two issues that drastically impair the film. The first issue regards the oddity of dealing with highly controversial Guantanamo Bay with a detached point of view. The U.S. prison is the elephant in the room that Sattler chooses to ignore; by his own admission, he didn’t want to alienate half of the audience by taking a position pro or against it. The film fails to address the very context it’s set in, creating a forced, unsatisfactory void. The second issue concerns the casting. Whereas Maadi is a flexible and engaging actor, Kristen Stewart hasn’t yet fully matured since her Twilight years. Much of the dissatisfaction left by the film is due to her credibility as lead actress, especially in the main storyline and her exchanges with Ali, but also in the subplot involving her army superiors. For a film that bets so much on characters, Camp X-Ray hits the mark only partially.… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

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LeZeeOct 4, 2015

Right from the beginning events of the scenes are poorly intensified.

It was a one sided narration, that is really a very bad for this kind of sensitive theme. But the prime intention was to bring the Guantanamo Bay detention camp'sRight from the beginning events of the scenes are poorly intensified.

It was a one sided narration, that is really a very bad for this kind of sensitive theme. But the prime intention was to bring the Guantanamo Bay detention camp's atrocity on the detainees by the US military. Well, it actually avoids those strong cruelties, and focuses the unusual relationship between a detainee and a woman guard.

Limited cast, shot mostly in a single location with the budget of just one million USD, and an ordinary opening, but ended strong. I assumed a lot of things likely to happen while I was watching. Like Amy Cole (Kristen Stewart) was in undercover, to make detainees talk and collect the information. Because she was the only woman around, but as usual like most of the time I was wrong. It was so plain and filled with human emotions.

I was strong and confident that they were just torturing the terrorists who deserved it. If you see it from the human perspective that was slightly a over-limit, only if you exclude their crimes. I just felt it was a propaganda to show US in a bad light. That is the reason it will not show terror strikes in the movie that committed by any of the detainee characters, but only the consequences they face.

A Hollywood movie specially made to make feel good for the terrorists and those who support it. Okay, I agree, some were innocents. While fishing, a few other marine animals also gets trapped in the net as well, for that I feel sorry what happened to them. But 95% of them were heartless monsters. Everyone will have their own opinion on this film based on their religion, nationality or sympathetic for simply being a human, and everything are fair.

6/10… Expand

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

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JLuis_001Sep 6, 2017

Released in Sundance, Camp X-Ray is a film that appeals more to the policies of its country of origin and its ideology of Guantánamo, otherwise if you manage to see, it remains as a reminder that Stewart can do something better as an actress.

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

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