Film - Where In The World Is Osama Bin Laden?
Morgan Spurlock came to fame by sticking to a diet of Big Macs and french fries for a month in Super Size Me, his documentary about the American obesity epidemic, and this time around he’s involving himself in the action again.
His new film begins with the question – what sort of world are Spurlock and his wife bringing their unborn baby into?
If anyone can help him answer that question it should be the man who is to blame for all of the problems, the world’s most wanted man – Osama Bin Laden.
After years of watching action movies Spurlock jokes that the only person who could find the top terrorist and save the world would be “one lonely guy” – himself. Self-defence training completed, and after learning how to say “Don’t take me, take the cameraman” in Arabic, Spurlock sets off on his journey.
Along the way Morgan Spurlock asks nearly everyone he meets what they think of Bin Laden.
There is plenty of anti-American sentiment, but many more moments where the locals in Egypt, the Palestinian territories, Morocco, Jordan, Saudi Arabia and Afghanistan would be pleased if the filmmaker found Bin Laden, if only so they could be rid of his influence in their lives.
Spurlock brings his trademark humour to this film and animation plays a big role in explaining the historical background to some of the more complex issues.
One of the funniest moments in the film is an animated hip-hop dancing Osama Bin Laden and a band of terrorists busting moves to MC Hammer’s hit song, You Can’t Touch This, while the voiceover explains the growth of the global influence of terrorist network Al Qaeda.
Spurlock also brings a touch of heart to this film. Some of the most touching moments of the film are the frequent calls home to his very pregnant wife.
Throughout the film Spurlock almost seems surprised that many of the ordinary people he speaks to are hospitable and open, and want the same things for their families as he does for his soon-to-be-born baby – safety, security, enough money to get by, and a good education for their children. He realises that regardless of religion or political persuasion, people are essentially the same wherever they are in the world.
This film may not solve any of the world’s problems but if it gets us all thinking about our similarities rather than our differences, Spurlock may just have achieved his goal of making the world safer for his baby – even if it’s just a small change.
Where In The World is Osama Bin Laden? is in cinemas nationally from August 14.
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Christian Taylor
said on the 12th Aug, 2008