Watch Beneath The Blindfold: Living A Tortured Life

Beneath the Blindfold: Living A Tortured Life is a deeply emotional documentary that brings to light the traumatic experiences of four survivors of torture from around the world. The film follows the journeys of Blama Massaquoi, a Liberian refugee; Hector Aristizabal, a Sephardic Jew from Colombia; Donald Vance, a former contractor in Iraq; and Jennifer Harbury, a human rights activist.

The documentary delves into the personal histories of each survivor and reveals the brutal and painful experiences they endured. Through powerful, first-person accounts and interviews with family members, activists, and experts in the field of torture prevention, the film examines the impact of torture on the human psyche and explores the ways in which survivors have coped with their trauma in the aftermath of their experiences.

As the film unfolds, viewers are transported from the West African nation of Liberia, where Massaquoi was imprisoned, tortured and nearly killed for being a journalist critical of the government, to Colombia, where Aristizabal was detained and tortured by government forces for his activism. We also hear from Vance, who was held captive and tortured by the U.S. military during his time working as a contractor in Iraq, and Harbury, whose husband, a Guatemalan rebel, was abducted and killed by the U.S.-backed army.

But despite the horrors they have faced, all four survivors have found a way to rebuild their lives, navigate the legal system, and advocate for change. While there is no denying the immeasurable pain and suffering that they have experienced, the film highlights the strength and resilience of the human spirit in the face of unimaginable hardship.

The documentary is not solely focused on the experiences of the four survivors, but also examines torture from a broader perspective, attempting to deconstruct the psychological and political elements that allow torture to occur. Drawing on interviews with experts in the field, the film discusses the implications of torture for victims as well as for society as a whole, and looks at the impact of recent policies, such as Guantanamo Bay, on torture prevention.

Overall, Beneath the Blindfold: Living A Tortured Life is a powerful exploration of one of the most brutal forms of human rights abuse. Through the personal stories of these four survivors, the film sheds light on the complexities of torture, from its psychological and physiological effects on victims, to the systemic and institutionalized nature of its perpetuation. The film ultimately raises important questions about justice, accountability, and how we can move forward as a society in preventing such atrocities from happening in the future.