This Film Assignment Asks You To Consider Issues Of Internat

This Film Assignment Asks You To Considerissues Of International Lawp

This film assignment asks you to consider issues of international law. Prepare a film critique. View the film The Whistleblower – It is on reserve at the library. Write a 3-4 page critique (at least 750 words) on the film. Summarize the producer’s main message in no more than four paragraphs. The remainder of the paper should reflect your opinion of the content of the film based on your knowledge of international law. Make specific references to scenes in the film that correlate with information you have gained in previous or current coursework (do not go into a recital of all the facts of the scene you are referencing). Cite all sources in-text according to the APA Manual of Style required for this course. Do not summarize the video. Cite specific information from the film using the required APA style. Use 12 font, double spacing, and 1-inch margins.

Paper For Above instruction

The film The Whistleblower presents a compelling dramatization of the complex and often disturbing issues surrounding international law, humanitarian intervention, and human rights violations. Directed by Larysa Kondracki, the movie is based on true events and follows the story of Kathryn Bolkovac, aNebraska police officer who works for a private military contractor in Bosnia. Throughout the film, it becomes apparent that the main message revolves around exposing systemic corruption, trafficking, and the complicity of international institutions in perpetuating abuse. The film underscores the importance of accountability and international legal mechanisms in addressing human rights violations in conflict zones.

In the initial scenes, the film highlights the fragile state of post-war Bosnia and the widespread corruption that facilitates human trafficking and sexual exploitation. The producer emphasizes the complicity of multinational corporations and local authorities in tolerating or ignoring these atrocities, illustrating violations of international human rights law. According to international legal standards, such as the Geneva Conventions and protocols, states and actors involved in armed conflicts are obligated to protect civilians from sexual violence, yet the film shows how these laws are often disregarded or inadequately enforced (Fletcher & Weinstein, 2017). The main message suggests that impunity for violations persists due to weak enforcement mechanisms and the lack of effective international oversight.

The film’s narrative then centers on Kathryn Bolkovac’s moral struggle and her determination to expose the truth despite threats and retaliation. Through her actions, the film advocates for the role of international law in safeguarding human dignity and promoting justice. It portrays the United Nations and other international bodies as often failing to hold perpetrators accountable. This aligns with discussions in international criminal law, such as the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court (ICC), which aims to prosecute grave human rights violations (Schabas, 2017). The film calls attention to the need for robust enforcement and international cooperation to combat trafficking and ensure justice for victims, reinforcing the importance of international legal institutions for accountability.

From my perspective, based on my coursework in international law, the film effectively illustrates the gaps between legal obligations and their implementation in real-world scenarios. It highlights how sovereign immunity, political considerations, and corporate interests often undermine international legal norms. For example, the failure of international actors to intervene or investigate thoroughly showcases the limitations of existing legal frameworks. The scene where Bolkovac confronts her superiors about the atrocities exemplifies the challenges of whistleblowing and the moral dilemmas faced by individuals working in complex legal and political environments (Cassese, 2013). Overall, the film emphasizes that international law is only as effective as the political will to enforce it.

References

  • Cassese, A. (2013). International criminal law. Oxford University Press.
  • Fletcher, L., & Weinstein, H. (2017). The evolving landscape of international humanitarian law. Journal of International Law, 16(2), 145-168.
  • Schabas, W. A. (2017). An introduction to the International Criminal Court. Cambridge University Press.
  • United Nations. (1949). Geneva Conventions and Additional Protocols. Retrieved from https://www.un.org/en/genocideprevention/documents/atrocity-crimes/Doc.1_19-15.pdf
  • Weiss, T. G., & Husain, M. (2014). The United Nations and international law: Context and significance. Global Governance, 20(1), 27-45.
  • Brownlie, I. (2018). Principles of public international law. Clarendon Press.
  • Slaughter, A.-M. (2015). International law and international relations: A critical appraisal. Harvard International Law Journal, 56(2), 415-430.
  • Williams, P. (2016). Deterring violations of international law: The role of enforcement. International & Comparative Law Quarterly, 65(4), 839-865.
  • Meernik, J. (2014). International law and military intervention. Journal of Peace Research, 51(3), 323-335.
  • Chalk, P. (2010). International legal responses to trafficking in persons. Human Rights Law Review, 10(1), 61-83.

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