The Dissident The Dissident (2020)

Bryan Fogel's 'The Dissident' (2020) transcends mere documentary filmmaking, masterfully crafting a chilling expose on state-sponsored violence and the weaponization of digital surveillance. Fogel, known for 'Icarus', employs a sophisticated cinematic language, interweaving raw, emotional interviews with key figures like Hatice Cengiz, harrowing surveillance footage, and striking animated sequences to build palpable tension. The film eschews a simple chronological retelling of Jamal Khashoggi's assassination, instead delving into the broader geopolitical implications and the systematic suppression of Saudi dissidents globally. It functions as a harrowing investigative thriller, meticulously detailing the audacious act and its far-reaching consequences for freedom of the press and human rights. A powerful, unyielding piece of journalistic cinema that stands as a stark warning in our interconnected world.