“A great nation’s character is what makes it great. When you are afraid it’s hard to have character. When you get down to it, courage is the ability to follow ones principles, even when you are scared to death.”
Neal Kaytal
Plaintiff Attorney
Hamden v Rumsfield
This crucial documentary chronicles the history of secrecy in government, starting from its WWII era beginnings through today’s post 9/11 society. With the advent of the internet and electronic data, we have never had more information at our fingertips. Ironically, the amount of secrecy within the executive branch of government has never been so great. Secrecy begins by posing the question: what amount of confidentiality is beneficial to national security? Proponents on both sides of the issue make compelling claims. The film reports instances when the media leaked classified information, and terrorists networks benefited. On the flip side, the film suggests secrecy played a role in the successful execution of the 9/11 terror attacks and the atrocities of Abu Ghraib. As the film matures, the panel of attorneys, ex-government officials, and journalists suggests that in post 9/11 America, rampant unchecked executive power extends beyond issues of public safety, and threatens the essence of democracy.
The final SFIFF screening of Secrecy is Thursday May 8 at the Kabuki Theatre in Japantown.
Secrecy is competing for a Golden Gate Award
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