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The Prisoner or: How I Planned to Kill Tony Blair

Name: The Prisoner or: How I Planned to Kill Tony Blair
Director: Michael Tucker, Petra Epperlein
Released: 2007
Duration: 54 min

Representation Score

6.1/10

Good

2007

PG-13

Director

Michael Tucker, Petra Epperlein

Runtime

54 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

The film diverges from traditional war narratives by emphasizing the subjective experience of a underrepresented individual rather than official state accounts. It effectively dismantles institutional authority by highlighting the human cost of geopolitical decisions. By focusing on an Iraqi perspective through personal home videos and illustrations, the documentary disrupts the conventional hero/villain dichotomy. This approach presents a nuanced view of life under systemic failure. However, the film’s concentration on political survival and military conflict leads to a lack of representation for LGBTQ+ identities and disability themes.

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Category Breakdown

Does The Prisoner or: How I Planned to Kill Tony Blair have LGBTQ+ representation?

Fair

The film does not include any explicit references to LGBTQ+ characters or themes. It focuses primarily on the political climate of the Iraq War and the detainment of Yunis Abbas.

How does The Prisoner or: How I Planned to Kill Tony Blair portray gender?

Fair

The protagonist is male, but the film challenges traditional power dynamics. It emphasizes the vulnerability and resilience of an individual facing state institutions.

How racially and ethnically diverse is The Prisoner or: How I Planned to Kill Tony Blair?

Excellent

The documentary stands out by centering an Iraqi journalist, offering a non-Western perspective that counters the typical Western-centric viewpoint in war films. It uses personal footage to provide a multifaceted, non-Western viewpoint.

How does The Prisoner or: How I Planned to Kill Tony Blair represent religion and culture?

Excellent

The film offers a strong critique of Western institutions and geopolitical interventions. It employs irony to highlight the concept of 'liberation' against the backdrop of systemic oppression.

Does The Prisoner or: How I Planned to Kill Tony Blair include disability representation?

Minimal

There is no indication that disability, neurodivergence, or chronic illness are central themes or plot devices in this work.

Present on Screen

Focuses on a non-Western protagonist with significant influence.
Uses personal, intimate footage to challenge Western-centric views.
Examines the failures of global political and military systems critically.

Limited or Absent

Does not include representation of LGBTQ+ identities or queer narratives.
Does not address disability or neurodivergent experiences.

Official Synopsis

In 2003, Iraqi journalist Yunis Abbas was taken from his home by American soldiers and detained at Abu Ghraib prison on suspicion of planning to assassinate Tony Blair. Only thing is, he was innocent. Through his months-long ordeal played out like a comedy of errors, Yunis learned the true meaning of liberation. His unique story is told via co-director Michael Tucker's footage, Yunis's home videos and illustrations by co-director Petra Epperlein.

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