State of Siege

The 1960s and ‘70s witnessed a growth in political filmmaking as well as increased political content in mainstream films. Greek-born, French-based filmmaker Costa-Gavras directly addressed contemporary political events in films that drew attention to the repressive and illegal actions of repressive governments. This 1972 drama centering on the kidnapping and murder of an American official in Uruguay by a leftist political group was based on real-life events. Beginning with the discovery of the body, State of Siege rewinds back to the week leading up to the murder, starting with the kidnapping of Philip Michael Santore (Yves Montand) and two other foreign nationals, which is followed by days of interrogation while the government frantically searches for the missing men. Costa-Gavras takes a documentary-like approach, presenting a detailed portrait of the tactics and techniques used by both sides, as well as lengthy interrogation sequences in which the case against Santore and the United States Agency for International Development is outlined. Ostensibly a non-political aid organization, the outfit is revealed to be a CIA-backed group that trains the police and military in interrogation tactics, torture, and the suppression of opposition groups. The names are changed here but the basic facts are true (American agent Dan Mitrione was killed in 1970). Extras include a new interview with Costa-Gavras, NBC News excerpts on the kidnapping, and an essay by journalist Mark Danner. Recommended. (S. Axmaker)