Review of The Dissident
midlandsmovies • April 25, 2021
The Dissident (2021) Dir. Bryan Fogel (Amazon Prime)
From the director of the excellent cycling documentary Icarus, comes new film The Dissident, another expose of a corrupt system which this time covers the killing of an exiled journalist by state agents.
Jamal Khashoggi was an influential and ultimately controversial journalist whose statements and investigations resulted him in becoming a thorn in the side of the Saudi regime and its repressive regime. In addition, the film is framed around Saudi activist Omar Abdulaziz (also in exile) who continues to campaign and rally others against the repressions of the state
To the uninitiated, Khashoggi’s backstory is given plenty of prominence explaining how he fled Saudi Arabia into self-imposed exile after being critical of the kingdom’s rulers, King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
But it was in 2018 when the journalist headed to the Saudi consulate in Turkey to arrange documents for his forthcoming marriage that tragic events unfolded and was never seen again.
The murder of the journalist became an international scandal as it was alleged that he was killed on the orders of the regime, and the film proposes that this went all the way to the top of the royal family who would have had to give their approval.
The documentary also exposes how this is linked to wider social suppression in the region as well as some surprising links to other wealthy and powerful individuals across the globe.
Many may be familiar with the film’s narrative having been extensively covered in the media at the time. Yet, it doesn’t stop it still being shocking as it delves deeper into the journalist’s personal life. This gives it a much-needed emotional depth, often more so than the mainstream reports on.
The film gives plenty of context to the subversive content and the talking head sections are balanced against necessary visual explanations (perhaps a tad exuberant given the sober messaging) to deliver its dramatic twists and turns.
And in the end, whilst some details have been trodden before, this comprehensive exploration covers all aspects of the complicated circumstances in an incredibly accomplished manner.
Illuminating corruption, cover-ups and appalling violence, The Dissident is an exceptional essay encompassing the full scope of an international incident that leaves you appalled and angry in the most appropriate way possible.
★★★★
Michael Sales
On Sunday 26th April Midlands Movies Editor Michael Sales & awards ceremony co-host Ed Stagg (BBC Radio) announced the nominations for the 2026 Midlands Movies Awards live from the Queen of Bradgate Vintage Cinema in Leicester. A big thanks was given to the entire Jury Panel of industry experts who gave up their precious time to watch a huge selection of creative projects and as always, had a difficult time choosing from the excellent number of films from the region. You can read the full list of nominations across all 16 categories below and watch our announcement videos here: Part 1 & Part 2 And please also check out our great awards partner Chrome Video Best Actress in a Leading Role Karendip Phull for Family Kate Bracken for The Lace Rachel Baker for Throwing Fruit Chloe Wade for How Long Sophie Bullock for Ma Prison Best Animated Film Of All the Things by Steff Lee Big Red by James Pyle Statue in the Garden by Qianhui Yu Butterfly by Jacob Christie Best Director Luke Worrall for The Waterline Lily Portman for Quiet Jack Richardson for Daniel’s Room Jonathan Hawes for Sorry We’re Closed Sophia Dall'Aglio for Man from Mars Best Documentary Nothing's Impossible by Jacob Thomas McClean A Birmingham Symphony by Jemma Saunders We Bring Light: Leicester's Diwali Legacy by Kieran Vyas The Sunshine Café by Jill Lampert Through the Viewfinder by William North Best Sound (Editing or Mixing) Neil Evans & his team for Artificial Insanity Alasdair Gretton for Dead on Distribution Deepanjali Patel for Earworm David Hamilton-Smith for The Pause Heidi Wilson for Of All The Things Best Actor in a Supporting Role Devon Junior for Lazar Tim Sparrow for Safety Net Shaiek Ahmed Rana for Family Luke Rollason for Quiet Peter Willoughby for A Story of Spring Best Visual & Special Effects Jake Wesley-Worrall for Soul Trader Steve Askey & team for The Correction Unit Nick Willett, Matt Burkey & Jayne Hyman for Black Goat JaqD SFX MUA, Mind Magic Studios and Ben Harker for Beyond the Witching Hour Pete Key, Jai Blanks and Jacob Christie for Countenance Best Cinematography Gary Rogers for The Pause Laurence Mason-Guetta for Sorry We’re Closed Ian Snape for Soul Trader Ash Connaughton for Daniel’s Room Duane Adamoli for Surfing (nominations continue below...)
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