Obtained by government watchdog Judicial Watch, the documents unveil that the CIA public information office is aware of 'Zero Dark Thirty' and possibly gives access to details of Bin Laden raid.
- Aug 29, 2012
AceShowbiz - The White House have insisted that the government had nothing to do with Kathryn Bigelow and Mark Boal's "Zero Dark Thirty (2012)", but some documents which were newly revealed by Judicial Watch indicated otherwise. The documents allegedly unveiled that the CIA public information office was apparently aware of Bigelow's hunt for Bin Laden project.
While it's unclear if the documents proved that the government gave access to confidential information about the Bin Laden hunt to Bigelow and Boal, it was uncovered that the CIA was enthusiastic about the project. It was revealed that the CIA public affairs office joked with Boal about getting tickets for the film's premiere.
The office knew that there would be more than one Hollywood movie about the Bin Laden raid and it has set its eyes on Bigelow's version. In June 2011, CIA reportedly received request to back a possible Bin Laden project by Imagine Entertainment and director Ron Howard, but the agency indicated that Bigelow's film was more worthy of the access due to their pedigree.
"I know we don't 'pick favorites' but it makes sense to get behind the winning horse... I am sure Imagine is talking about working with Howard, but Mark and Kathryn's movie is going to be the first and the biggest," so it's stated in the newly-revealed docs. "It's got the most money behind it, and two Oscar winners on board. It's just not a close call. We can certainly talk to Howard, but I don't think they should all get this kind of CTC [Counterterrorism Center] treatment, that's all."
Some other documents showed that the agency provided details to Bigelow and Boal such as the height of walls on the third floor. There were also others that revealed what kind of access the two filmmakers got and suggested what kind of information they might have obtained. Moreover, it was said that Bigelow and Boal have spoken with CIA Deputy Director Michael Morell about their project.
Commenting on the newly-discovered documents, government watchdog Judicial Watch President, Tom Fitton, said, "These new documents provide more backing to the serious charge that the Obama administration played fast and loose with national security information to help Hollywood filmmakers."
"No wonder we've had to fight one year of stonewalling from the administration. These new documents show there is no doubt that Obama White House was intensely interested in this film that was set to portray President Obama as 'gutsy'."
"Zero Dark Thirty" is set to open in the U.S. on December 19. Further details about the documents can be obtained at Judicial Watch's oficial site.
