On the 2nd October 2018, Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi walked through the doors of the Saudi Arabian consulate in Istanbul. He was there to collect papers that would allow him to marry his Turkish fiancée. It was the last time anybody saw or heard from him.
Over the days and weeks that followed, various explanations were given about his disappearance until the horrific truth emerged – that he’d been murdered and his body dismembered. To this day, his remains have never been found. It’s this extraordinary story, the motives behind his death and the political context surrounding it that Oscar winning documentary maker Bryan Fogel examines in his latest film, The Dissident.
The interview below was recorded on the day when the US government was due to go public with a report into the murder of Khashoggi. Fogel discusses his reaction to the news, as well as what it means for Khashoggi’s supporters and friends. He also describes how he gained the trust of the many people who contributed to the documentary and explains his thinking behind the most striking and shocking scene in the film.
The Dissident will have its UK premiere online at the Glasgow Film Festival on 6 March, and Irish Premiere online at the Virgin Media Dublin International Film Festival on 13 March. For more information visit www.thedissident.film.
