This week, I saw a film with a ton of controversy around it. The UnRedacted.

Sidewalk, my local indie theater, is one of only a handful of theaters in the world that have screened this film. I listened to the Filmmaker’s (Meg Smaker) interview with Sam Harris a while ago. Apparently that interview was the catalyst that she needed to be able to self-fund promotion and travel for a few screenings after being blacklisted immediately after a Sundance premier almost exactly 1 year ago.

Meg was there and did a 1.5 hr Q&A, which certainly added to the experience. Her story is wild. From being a firefigher in NY on 9/11 to getting kidnapped in while traveling from Panama to Columbia, and finally being blacklisted after creating this film.

Anyhow, I thought the film was really well done. As a white man with quite a lot of privilege, I’m not sure that I’m totally qualified to pass judgement on all of the facets of the controversy surrounding this project. But I’ll say I think it could do a lot of people at least some good to see this film. My biggest takeway was that Meg and her crew did a fantastic job of presenting that whether or not you agree with people’s beliefs and whether or not you think what they have done was right or wrong, they’re humans with feelings, families, and lives to live. Regardless of judgment you may pass against individuals, it’s valuable to have empathy and a human connection to all in some way.

I’m grateful that Sidewalk was willing to screen this and host Meg. Maybe this film isn’t for everyone. But I do think it can spark some valuable, difficult conversations and teach some important lessons.