Christopher Hitchens: Believe Me, It's Torture 2008
"What more can be added to the debate over U.S. interrogation methods, and whether waterboarding is torture? Try first-hand experience."
In this intense six-minute documentary short from 2008, famed intellectual Christopher Hitchens confronts his own convictions when he voluntarily undergoes waterboarding—a controversial interrogation method central to debates about torture.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is *Christopher Hitchens: Believe Me, It's Torture* (2008) about?
This short documentary follows renowned writer and commentator Christopher Hitchens as he voluntarily undergoes waterboarding to confront his own skepticism about whether the technique qualifies as torture. The film documents his brief but harrowing experience and the profound shift in perspective it triggers.
Who directed *Christopher Hitchens: Believe Me, It's Torture*?
Director information is not available.
Who stars in *Christopher Hitchens: Believe Me, It's Torture*?
The sole credited figure in the film is the iconic essayist and journalist Christopher Hitchens.
Is *Christopher Hitchens: Believe Me, It's Torture* (2008) worth watching?
Though unrated and low-budget, this six-minute documentary packs an outsized punch with its unflinching exploration of torture and personal conviction. Fans of Hitchens' work or provocative short-form cinema will find it a compelling, if uncomfortable, viewing experience.
How long is *Christopher Hitchens: Believe Me, It's Torture*?
The documentary has a runtime of 6 minutes.
About Christopher Hitchens: Believe Me, It's Torture (2008) — A 6-Minute Test of Courage and Controversy
In this intense six-minute documentary short from 2008, famed intellectual Christopher Hitchens confronts his own convictions when he voluntarily undergoes waterboarding—a controversial interrogation method central to debates about torture. The film captures Hitchens' visceral firsthand experience as he tests whether the procedure truly meets the definition of torture, challenging both his long-held stance and the audience's perceptions. Directed with stark minimalism and shot in a single unbroken take, the documentary strips away political rhetoric to present an immediate, unsettling examination of authority, endurance, and the limits of human resilience.
With its razor-sharp focus and unflinching honesty, *Christopher Hitchens: Believe Me, It's Torture* transforms a heated public debate into a personal act of defiance. The film's raw atmosphere lingers long after the credits roll, forcing viewers to reconsider the boundaries between pain and cruelty, belief and evidence. Though brief in runtime, its impact is undeniable—a provocative and thought-provoking exploration of truth, courage, and the human capacity to withstand the unimaginable.