The Dissident (2020)

A powerful and harrowing documentary which attempts to analyse the disappearance of Saudi journalise Jamal Khashoggi. Khasoggi entered the Saudi Arabian embassy in Istanbul on 2nd October 2018, and never reappeared. The feature includes an imposing array of talking heads, including the former director of the CIA, the head of the police in Istanbul, and in the second half of the documentary, Khashoggi's fiance, Hatice Cengiz takes centre stage as we follow her to various meetings and senate appearances. The film is terrifying, not just for the seemingly appalling actions of the Arab state, but for the use of hacking technology, most notably as we learn of the way in which various individuals close to Khashoggi were hacked, but also the way in which the Saudi government control the countries social media outlets. Compelling and worrying in equal measures, The Dissident is an exquisitely put together docu-drama, and well worth your time. 7.8/10