"The Cult of the Suicide Bomber" is a fascinating look into what has become one of the premiere forms of 'demonstration' in the Middle East. It is narrated by former CIA Agent Robert Baer, whose book "See No Evil" was, in part, the basis for the recent film "Syriana." (See that review elsewhere on this website.) As a matter of fact, George Clooney's character in the film was based loosely on Baer. In this documentary, Baer takes viewers on a 'tour' (if you will) of some of the sites in the Middle East that were targets of suicide bombers. He starts in Iran, where we learn that the Ayatollah Khomeini used to preach the philosophy of martyrdom. All who died in the battle against the enemies of Islam would have a place in paradise.

Baer tells us about a 13-year old boy by the name of Hussein, who he claims was the very first suicide bomber. Hussein strapped explosives to his body and threw himself under an Iraqi tank. His travels also take him to Beirut where he reminds us of the 1983 bombing of the American embassy, where 63 people were killed, many of them acquaintances of Baer.

But what is more fascinating is that Baer takes the time to not only enlighten and educate us from his own experiences, he also interviews families of some of the victims of these bombings. He then goes a step further and actually attempts to interview some of the families of the suicide bombers themselves. These prove to be very difficult indeed, however. Most offer very little deep insight into what their family members did. All belie the term 'suicide' altogether, somehow trying to convince Baer that they were martyrs, dying for what the believed in.

The film as a whole is very depressing, and understandably so. We are brought face to face with death, with Baer sharing some of the footage of actual bombings, and we learn very little in depth about what really makes these people do what they do. In my eyes, they are not freedom fighters. They are killers, pure and simple, just the same as the madmen who were aboard the flights on 9/11. What I want is to truly know what really turned them this way. Was there ever a time that they didn’t believe they were dying for a just cause? Did they ever have second thoughts? These are the questions I would like to have answered, but unfortunately these guys aren't around to tell us.

"The Cult of the Suicide Bomber" is a very timely documentary. Even today we read about suicide bombers attacking soldiers and Mosques, shopping areas and government buildings. The only way we might ever be able to stop it is to understand… why.

Directed by: Kevin Toolis and David Batty
Extras: None
Specifications: Widescreen (1.78:1)
Studio: Disinformation
Release Date: 6/20/2006
Region 1
MPAA Rating: NR
Website

We'll give The Cult of the Suicide Bomber an A.