Watch Meeting ISIS
- NR
- 2015
- 54 min
Meeting ISIS is a documentary film that follows the journey of two journalists who attempt to gain access to the notorious terrorist organization ISIS. The film begins with a brief history of the organization and the reasons behind their rise to power, including the power vacuum left after the fall of Saddam Hussein and the U.S. invasion of Iraq.
The journalists, Matthieu and Adrien, are French and were working for a magazine at the time they decided to embark on this journey. They are both experienced journalists but have never been to a conflict zone before. They decide to go to Syria after hearing about a group of Western volunteers who have joined forces with Kurdish forces to fight against ISIS.
The pair make their way to Syria by crossing the Turkish border and then traveling along a dangerous route towards the Kurdish-controlled city of Kobane. Along the way, they meet various people, including Kobane residents who have been displaced by ISIS and Kurdish fighters who are battling the terrorist group on the front lines.
The film is shot in a gritty, handheld style that adds to the sense of danger and immediacy. There are no special effects or fancy camera work; just the journalists and the people they meet along the way. This stripped-down approach creates a sense of intimacy with the people and the environment, which can be both beautiful and horrifying.
As the journalists get closer to their destination, the risks become greater. They have to avoid ISIS checkpoints and deal with the everyday violence of the conflict, including snipers and bombings. Through it all, they remain calm and focused, determined to get the story.
When they finally arrive in Kobane, they find a city that has been devastated by the conflict. However, they also find a group of volunteers from around the world who have come to help the Kurds in their fight against ISIS. They meet people from all walks of life, from college students to military veterans, who have put their lives on the line to fight for freedom.
The film then takes a turn as the journalists try to make contact with ISIS. They send a message to an ISIS spokesman via social media, who agrees to meet with them. This meeting is the centerpiece of the film and is a tense, nerve-wracking experience. The journalists meet with the spokesman in a deserted area, surrounded by armed guards. They talk about the reasons for joining ISIS and the group's goals. The spokesman is articulate and intelligent, but his words are chilling.
After the meeting, the journalists decide to leave as quickly as possible, knowing that their lives are in danger. The second half of the film focuses on their escape from Syria and their attempts to get the story out to the world. They face many obstacles, including being detained by Turkish authorities and dealing with a hostile press. However, they are determined to tell their story and to shed light on the activities of one of the most dangerous terrorist groups in the world.
Meeting ISIS is a gripping, intense film that provides a unique perspective on the conflict in Syria. It is a tribute to the bravery of the journalists who risked their lives to bring us this story and to the volunteers who are fighting to keep ISIS at bay. The film shows us the terrible consequences of war and the resilience of the human spirit. It is a must-see for anyone interested in international affairs or the human experience.
Meeting ISIS is a 2015 documentary with a runtime of 54 minutes.