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Sameer Khader, Lt. Josh Rushing, Hassan Ibrahim, Tom Mintier, Deema Khatib ... see more see more... , David Shuster

Egyptian-American filmmaker Jehane Noujaim (Startup.com) directs Control Room, a documentary investigating the ethics of media-managed wars. This film particularly focuses on the U.S.-led war in Iraq.... read more read more... Noujaim and her film crew travel to the headquarters of Al-Jazeera, the media leader in the Arab world, to find out what the news looks like in Iraq. She interviews several journalists and producers involved in war reporting for Al-Jazeera, including senior producer Sameer Khader, journalist Hassan Ibrahim, and producer Deema Khatib. Noujaim also interviews American correspondents David Shuster from NBC and Tom Mintier from CNN. Control Room premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in 2004 as part of the American Spectrum program. ~ Andrea LeVasseur, Rovi

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85% liked it

6,112 ratings

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109 critics

Unrated, 1 hr. 23 min.

Directed by: Jehane Noujaim

Release Date: May 21, 2004

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DVD Release Date: October 26, 2004

Stats: 377 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (377)

  • SirPant
    September 23, 2009
    SirPant
    Good film, very insightful into the life of journalists on the front line. Al-Jazeera opens its doors to the cameras and shows us what they really stand for (and what?s really going on, bare in mind, half of the staff are westerners who have worked for Fox, BBC etc). Probably a l... read moreittle more of an eye opener to an American audience. Might make them think twice about switching on Fox News from now on!
  • MidnightMadwoman
    July 8, 2008
    MidnightMadwoman
    I did not know what this movie was about goin in, but I really liked it. I thought it was very refreshing to see a new take on the media and its coverage of the war in Iraq. There's a little more immediacy to this movie than contemplation, and I was expecting a little more commen... read moretary about the social impact that an Arabic-language news network on the ciizens of the Arabic-speaking world, but instead if covered how America reacts to thier coverage and how news reporting is done in Al-Jazeera. Very interesting movie, but I might have taken it a different way.
  • michaelneumann
    December 5, 2004
    michaelneumann
    Wrote the following "Fall Film 2004" piece for a newsletter at work a week and a half ago (as I've already seen some of the films in the Preview section). It was writ pretty quickly, without really editing much of it, which explains a lot. (I'm not sure what I'm trying to say in ... read morethis article, but that's nothing new. ;)) I have a clear bias toward or against certain films that I speak of, and that's something I'm not afraid to wear on my sleeve. I stuck mostly to films that my co-workers would have the greatest chance of seeing, while adding a few personal picks here n' there.

    It's geared toward an audience that knows nary a thing on movie hipness, so pardon some of the tedious articulations of some films that you folks already know about. I'm also guilty of a few painful humor mechanisms that I was too lazy to change afterwards. But hey, if I can get away with lame jokes on co-workers, then so be it. I'll save my good stuff for "mah homies at RT."

    (note: replaced work reference lingo [equivalent to "co-workers"] with [b]RT'ers[/b])




    [size=1][b]Festive Film This Fall[/b] [/size]

    [size=1]
    The critical difference between the toned down nature of the Fall movie season and the gluttonous, over-saturated behavior of many summer offerings (aside from my colorful adjectives) is the intent of the studio behind the film: Summer films are in the "dollar race" and Fall films are in the "statue race." OK, so ultimately they're all out to make a buck or three. Or one hundred million. But more pointedly, studios push "awards season" films, hoping to generate more critical approval and awards recognition (which means even more profit), giving us moviegoers a digestible holiday alternative to fruitcake that tastes like a brick. We no longer have to deal with summertime exorbitance of showboating special effects and unending celebrity beauty pageants at the cinema. And that's refreshing. Ladies and germs, the year of film has shifted its gears. 'Tis the season for execs to stocking stuff our holiday weekends with their visions of money-making, awards-grabbing sugar plums. Deck the movie halls with boughs of Hollywood trifles and tinsel-laced distractions, and celebrate with the occasional potent glass of filmic egg nog. I'd carry on, but I think I've exhausted most Christmas-flavored metaphors. Bah! Humbug? (metaphor?) There. I'm done. Well, except for the next few paragraphs.

    As vaguely established above, the summer movie season is known for bigger budget films out to earn bigger bucks from the masses. The fall movie season tapers down the emphasis on huge profits (most studios gun for their revenue quotas in the summer) and instead focuses more on artistic expression and thusly, films to lead studio's campaign for awards. Money tactics aside, what this means for us hard-working [b]RT'ers[/b]/movie fans is that we’re provided with movies aplenty that are generally more affecting, inspiring, and emotionally resonant than the rest of the year. With the Oscars in sniffing range in early 2005, executive producers are eager to back their more critically acclaimed films to bring home the hardware. While this can often lead to forced sappy dramas that fall flat while deliberately vying for the big awards (coined "Oscar bait"), it also paves the path for some wonderful film, both in the form of mainstream movies (such as "The Incredibles" or "Ocean's Twelve") and the criminally under-seen variety at the independent theaters (like "Primer" or "Sideways").

    The following is just a brief review and preview of the Fall movie season that we're already in the midst of, with hopes to inspire my fellow [b]RT'ers[/b] to enrich their film palates with quality cinema, or simply just to hang out with co-workers at the movies (a favorite of mine). [/size]
    [size=1]

    [u] Review[/u]:
    [i]Shaun of the Dead[/i] – This "zom-rom-com" (zombie romantic comedy) was a big hit in Britain before shuffling its undead hordes to American theaters. Very funny, very entertaining zombie film, but strictly for those who enjoy a bit of blood-spattered horror with their comedy.
    [i]Team America: World Police[/i] – South Park's Trey Parker & Matt Stone bring you this audacious puppet 'satire' send-up of action film epics riddled with high schoolish profanity that painstakingly attempts to provoke laughter. It may work for some, but not for me.
    [i]Primer[/i] – This enormously complicated sci-fi indie is hard to follow through its mind-bending narrative, but if you enjoy time-tested sci-fi concepts like time travel (bada bing!) and its moral consequences, then I urge you to look into seeing this movie. Even more impressive is that it was made on a $7,000 budget.
    [i]I Heart Huckabees[/i] – A self-diagnosed satire on angst-driven existentialist crises that will probably leave the viewer as indifferent as its jerry-rigged philosophical resolution, despite its occasional humor. Seems to be a hit-or-miss film.
    [i]Motorcycle Diaries[/i] – An Argentinean film chronicling a cross-continental road trip through South America of a youthful Che Guevara, famous revolutionary, and a friend. Smart, funny, and inspiring as it was sobering.
    [i]Sideways [/i]– Director Alexander Payne ("Election," "About Schmidt") churns out another character study full of hilarity, humiliation and humanity. Stars Paul Giamatti, and features a lot of wine-tasting!
    [i]The Incredibles[/i] – Quite simply the best action film of the year, and it comes attached to a genuine family core that’s complex and rewarding. Fantastic animation that's fantastic fun.
    [i]Finding Neverland[/i] – Johnny Depp & Kate Winslet star in this story of author J.M. Barrie's inspiration of the famous "Peter Pan" coming from children. Might be too slow for some or just the right magical, endearing note for others. It’s this year's "Big Fish."
    [i]The Spongebob Squarepants Movie[/i] – Any fans of the absurdly silly television series on Nickelodeon will enjoy the big screen adventure of Spongebob. It's essentially an extended episode, but still offers enough trademark goofiness to keep you entertained.

    [u] Preview[/u]:
    [i]Ray[/i] – This biopic on legendary genre-crossing musician Ray Charles is getting lots of positive buzz, particularly with Jamie Foxx's spellbinding performance in the title role.
    [i]The Polar Express[/i] – A CGI animated film to rival "The Incredibles," except its sense of realism in the characters make it more creepy than anything. It might be harmless family fare, but it reeks of grubbiness in trying to capitalize on 'good holiday cheer' in film.
    [i]National Treasure[/i] – Nicolas Cage stars in a jazzed-up action production about a treasure hunter searching for clues that takes the audience on a tour through American history. It's from notoriously shallow super-producer Jerry Bruckheimer, so I've got reservations regarding this one.
    [i]Alexander[/i] – Famed conspiracy theorist/director heavyweight Oliver Stone helms this large scale screen interpretation of probably the most successful military commander in history. With Colin Farrel starring as Alexander, I'm intrigued, but many in the film look to be overacting beyond all tasteful measure.
    [i]Meet the Fockers[/i] – The follow-up to the hi-larious "Meet the Parents" (the definitive 'awkward comedy') unites Stiller & DeNiro with Dustin Hoffman & Barbara Streisand. Here's to hoping this sequel lives up to the original.
    [i]The Aviator[/i] – Martin Scorsese collaborates with Leo DiCaprio once again for this biopic on eccentric Hollywood genius Howard Hughes, Jr., and looks promising. Who's Who of Hollywood appears in the film (Kate Beckinsale, Alec Baldwin, Cate Blanchett, Jude Law, Ian Holm, Willem Dafoe, Gwen Stefani).
    [i]House of Flying Daggers[/i] – From the director of "Hero" comes a story of revolution and romance (not to mention martial arts action). Stars the young Chinese beauty Zhang Ziyi ("Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon," "Hero," "Rush Hour 2").
    [i]Blade: Trinity[/i] – The third (and probably final) installment of the Blade series brings Wesley Snipes back to counter the most nefarious undead foe of them all: Count Dracula. The first two films were good fun, so I'll be there for this one.
    [i]Spanglish[/i] – Adam Sandler dabbles again in "dramedy" (drama-comedy) with a film about culture clash and family values. Looks interesting, particularly because it's from the director of "As Good As It Gets."
    [i]The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou[/i] – This quirky underwater tale looks to be a true comic gem, especially given that it stars Bill Murray, Owen Wilson, Willem Dafoe, Cate Blanchett, Anjelica Houston & Jeff Goldblum. From cult-favorite director Wes Anderson ("Rushmore," "The Royal Tenenbaums").
    [i]The Phantom Of The Opera[/i] – The popular Broadway play hits the big screen in what looks to be a beautiful spectacle of brooding music and dark passion. Composer Andrew Lloyd Webber approved of the cast (comprising of relative unknowns) to do the musical performances justice.
    [i]Bad Education[/i] – "Talk To Her" director Pedro Almodovar has a big following after his Best Screenplay Oscar for the same film two years ago. Features rising Latin American star Gael Garcia Bernal (also in "The Motorcycle Diaries," mentioned above).
    [i]Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events[/i] – This film looks quasi-Tim Burton in terms of art direction, with a positively vibrant canvas of fantasy and imagination. Jim Carrey puts on many faces for his many roles here. Based on a popular series of children's books, this film looks like a lot of fun.
    [i]Closer[/i] – A film about the complicated nature of relationships, and how love and affection can be used to hurt as much as it can heal. Looks to be engrossing and well-balanced. Stars Jude Law, Natalie Portman, Julia Roberts & Clive Owen.
    [i]Ocean’s Twelve[/i] – This sequel looks to bring the same coolness and trendy zest as its predecessor, but more importantly, it's not the same story told over again. All the cast favorites are back for Steven Soderbergh's sure to be popular hipster flick.[/size]


    [size=1] With all the blood, sweat, tears and otherwise that us [b]RT'ers[/b] pour into work [b](er, this only applies to those RT'ers that actually [i]do[/i] work)[/b], a getaway to the movies is something that we all can use every now and then. Happy Holidays, all![/size]






    Expect to see more movie-related entries from myself.
  • BlueTorch
    May 21, 2006
    BlueTorch
    After you watch Control Room, you'll be entertained, educated, and you'll think of the world in a completey different way. This is positiviely gripping. The best documentay I've ever seen.
  • banzaibrother
    October 19, 2010
    banzaibrother
    A powerful documentary about Al-Jazeera's coverage of the Irag War. An eye-opening look of how the war was covered by Arab journalists.
  • toejambaseball24
    October 18, 2007
    toejambaseball24
    I just saw this film in my mass media class, and it was a very engrossing documentary. It is pretty objective (well, more objective than the Michael Moore films), and gives good insight into how the Arab network Al-Jazeera functions, and what their role is in the Arab world as we... read morell as the war in Iraq. It shows intelligent people from all sides of the discussion, and brings an intriguing perspective on the the war, Arabs, and mass media in general. If you're in the mood for an interesting and objective documentary, or are researching about the war or media, I recommend that you check this one out.
  • SonnyLighstrome
    January 22, 2008
    SonnyLighstrome
    A great documentary that shows the views and opinions of a people and a network that we don't get to see. Whether you agree or not, it still is quite interesting to see the other side of the arguement.
  • dapperman85
    August 2, 2007
    dapperman85
    An eye-opening documentary that helps you understand not only Al-Jazeera, but also how the television news medium works. After a second viewing, I decided that this is a more important film about the presentation of information then I initially thought.
  • kaipark25
    July 22, 2007
    kaipark25
    Released in 2004 this film was invisible beneath the release of the much more sensationalized "Fahrenheit 911," but it's by no means less astounding. While Fahrenheit was pretty much a direct attack on the Bush Administration, this movie probably does far more damage to the curr... read moreent administration without that even being its objective. The movie follows three producers of the Arab-channel Al-Jazeera news network during the opening days of the Iraq invasion in 2003. The interviews and perspectives of these individuals are really eye-opening and often offer opinions and views that you wouldn't expect. One of the producers admits outright that he would jump at the opportunity if offered a job by Fox News and would more than happily send his children to school in America. Also, particularly startling is a scene showing a sequence where a U.S. warplane is filmed firing a bomb directly on Al-Jazeera's headquarters in Baghdad, after the U.S. Government required the network to provide them their exact HQ location to avoid just such an event. This is exactly the kind of documentary for anyone dying to see something other than this own country's poor excuse for news coverage. Control Room will shock and startle you in ways that will stay with you for a very long time.
  • thedeadsea
    June 27, 2007
    thedeadsea
    Wow. Great documentary. Completely changed the way I look at coverage of the war. Sheds new light on some of the footage that has been replayed over and over again on news stations. If nothing else, this film will give you a glimpse into the ways that we are being misled in our p... read moreerceptions about the war.

View All Control Room Reviews

Critic Reviews

Roger Moore
August 13, 2004
Roger Moore, Orlando Sentinel

The optimistic viewer will see in all this blunt and messy contrariness the emergence of the first free press in the Arab world. Full Review

Anthony Lane
August 1, 2004
Anthony Lane, New Yorker

Given that most Americans know the network only by reputation, or via Donald Rumsfeld's public denunciations of it, a little more objective information would not have gone amiss.

Geoff Pevere
July 16, 2004
Geoff Pevere, Toronto Star

Noujaim's documentary is clearly sympathetic to the journalists of Al-Jazeera, who all seem to be professional, intelligent and reasonable, but it is not blindly biased. Full Review

Rick Groen
July 16, 2004
Rick Groen, Globe and Mail

More illuminating than not, and shines its brightest light on a truth that war and warmongers so ferociously ignore: Look hard into the other's camp and what you'll likely see is yourself. Full Review

Desson Thomson
June 18, 2004
Desson Thomson, Washington Post

Enlightening, if structurally relaxed documentary. Full Review

Ann Hornaday
June 18, 2004
Ann Hornaday, Washington Post

This engrossing portrait of competing notions of truth is at once a thrilling real-time chronicle of the birth of a free press and a sophisticated philosophical treatise on the nature of objective rea... Full Review

Terry Lawson
June 18, 2004
Terry Lawson, Detroit Free Press

It does a good job of showing just how much media manipulation is taken for granted by those who have the job of massaging the facts and the ones who simply lie back and enjoy it. Full Review

Tom Long
June 18, 2004
Tom Long, Detroit News

The value in Control Room is simply that it shows what America never got to see while also serving as a reminder that nobody serves up the real truth, everybody just serves up their truth.

Kenneth Turan
June 17, 2004
Kenneth Turan, Los Angeles Times

A glimpse of a world where everything is reversed, where our most cherished preconceptions are called into question and reality proves to be a more complex business than we imagined. Full Review

Richard Roeper
June 14, 2004
Richard Roeper, Ebert & Roeper

... a raw, unblinking examination of how the first draft of history is revised by those who filter it. Full Review

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Control Room Trivia

  • In Star Wars IV, A New Hope, Does a Storm Trooper Hit his head on the door as they break open the door into the control room where R2 D2 and C3PO are hiding, and Luke, Han, Chewbacker and Obi-One Kenobi Have Just left? True Or False  Answer »
  • in the first star wars movie during a scene where storm troopers find the two droids in a control room, one of the storm troopers hits his head on the door as he comes in the room.  Answer »
  • Which Documentary is NOT about questionable ethics in big business?  Answer »
  • Who takes over the control room in the power plant in China Syndrome ?  Answer »
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