Unthinkable, a 2010 film directed by Gregor Jordan is a suspense thriller movie that revolves around Yusuf Atta Mohammed also known as Stephen Arthur Younger, a former Delta Force operator, and an American Muslim. The opening scene of the film captures Younger standing in front of a camera with a nuclear bomb in the background where he reveals that he has placed three bombs in different locations in major U.S. cities. Upon the release of the video, the FBI together with the concerned authorities initiates an operative to track down and capture Younger to help them find the alleged bombs. Soon, Younger is apprehended at a shopping mall after voluntarily visiting the facility, which is later revealed to be part of his scheme. Through his interrogations to acquire information about the whereabouts of the bombs, Younger is subjected to mental and physical torture, which violate his human rights as an American citizen. The violation of human rights is one of the significant themes of the films that is explored through Younger’s experience.

After Younger was captured, he was taken to an undisclosed location where he was questioned and tortured to reveal the location of the bombs. The interrogation technique changed when the FBI contacted Henry Harold Humphries, a former black-ops officer also known as H.  During the initial stages of Mr. H’s interaction with Younger; he cut off his right-hand fingers, which was aimed at inflicting fear (30:50). Special Agent Helen Brody who was the leader of the FBI team was against Mr. H’s interrogation techniques, which she termed “evil and inhuman.” Despite Brody’s resistance to Mr. H’s methods, the directors overseeing the operations still allowed him to continue torturing Younger. The torture techniques used include suffocation, teeth removal, and other forms of bodily harm. Therefore, all these forms of physical abuse were against the law since Younger was an American citizen– a concern raised by Brody but overlooked by the officials carrying out the operation.

As much as the anti-terrorism agents were desperate to find the nuclear bombs to avoid the killings of more than 10 million people, they ought to have followed the law. Their actions led to the violation of Younger and his family’s human rights. For example, after the first bomb went off killing 53 people, Jehan, Younger’s wife was brought to the room where her husband was being questioned and executed by Mr. H in full glare of Younger (1:14:33). Jehan’s death was not justified since she was not involved in Younger’s plan; she was only killed to show her husband the seriousness of the matter. On the other hand, Younger’s children were also subjected to psychological torture by Mr. H who pretended to kill them leading to Younger’s confession about the location of the bombs. Therefore, the film explores the dilemma of upholding human rights when handling terrorists with critical information about an incoming attack.

As much as the anti-terrorism agents were desperate to find the nuclear bombs to avoid the killings of more than 10 million people, they ought to have followed the law. Their actions led to the violation of Younger and his family’s human rights. For example, after the first bomb went off killing 53 people, Jehan, Younger’s wife was brought to the room where her husband was being questioned and executed by Mr. H in full glare of Younger (1:14:33). Jehan’s death was not justified since she was not involved in Younger’s plan; she was only killed to show her husband the seriousness of the matter. On the other hand, Younger’s children were also subjected to psychological torture by Mr. H who pretended to kill them leading to Younger’s confession about the location of the bombs. Therefore, the film explores the dilemma of upholding human rights when handling terrorists with critical information about an incoming attack.

Reference

Weber, M. & Chubb, C. (Producers), & Jordan, G. (Director). (2010). Unthinkable [Motion

picture]. The United States: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment.