Kingdom of Silence

Review by Gray Farris

The Short 

Kingdom of Silence serves as a refreshing reminder of the importance of the press when critiquing power. Built on the complex past of Jamal Khashoggi, this documentary is an overview of his life’s work and the events leading to his death.

The Long 

Revolving around Khashoggi’s specific points of contact, this documentary elaborates the high-stakes game that journalism carries. Khashoggi was operating within the sphere of Saudi Arabia - given his close contacts and friendship with the Saudi family. As such, his journalism held the burden of risk from the crown. Showcasing his early days of working with Osama Bin Laden through the majority of his time working within Saudi Arabia, this documentary exposes the complex life that Khashoggi lived.

To watch or not to watch? 

Watch with respect. This documentary seeks to see the various fields in which Khashoggi operated. It is a reflection on the murder that was related to the Khashoggi’s work, and the context in which he lived. His job as a journalist ultimately led to his death and this makes this documentary hard to watch since it reminds the viewer that the freedom of the press is not respected worldwide.