Do spies need professional ethics? The answer should be yes, as with any profession, there are certain ethical codes to be followed. But as a spy, the moral choice between intelligence security and citizens' right to know will be complicated. The film "Official Secrets" discovered this somewhat subtle story, presenting a satirical drama about a small person shaking the big government in the history of British contemporary intelligence on the big screen.
The protagonist Catherine is an ordinary government employee, no different from ordinary white-collar workers in the grid, and goes to get off work on time every day. She used her language advantage to collect all kinds of information, organize the information worthy of reporting and put forward into reports, and provide them to relevant departments for intelligence analysis. However, the information she analyzed and intercepted was collected and obtained by the intelligence agencies through various channels. In another sense, she participated in the monitoring work in the espionage intelligence work. This is a job that requires a high degree of protection of secrets. After following this basic principle, basically, espionage work is not so thrilling and complicated, and it is no different from ordinary salespersons and bank clerks.
On such an ordinary morning, she and her colleagues received an email from a senior intelligence officer in the White House asking the British Parliament to side with the United States in the United Nations vote to launch a war on Iraq, on the grounds that they suspected Iraqi There are a lot of lethal biochemical weapons. That year was 2003.
In the subsequent modern history of the world, the result of this action is obvious, the British and American forces officially launched the offensive, and began a war that lasted for several years. Back to the movie story itself, when Catherine received this email, a mystery lingered in her heart. Her vigilant skepticism about the legitimacy of the war also became her immediate motivation for taking action. With uneasy hesitation, Catherine, an ordinary intelligence officer with a meager salary and a low position, decided that this information could be leaked.
The story of "Official Secrets" is also officially launched here. In a spy war movie without swords and shadows, it also makes people feel the tension of the atmosphere. Young Catherine's move to divulge secrets came from anger and impulsiveness, her motive was simple, to let the public understand the doorway behind this, and understand how the government made the so-called right decision. But she was far from thinking too much about the crisis she was facing.
This is also where the wonderful rhythm of the film is displayed. All the institutions involved are involved. The Observer has become a media platform for public announcement, triggering the tracking of the whole country in the UK and the US. At the same time, two lines around this small piece of information have begun. Is the message accurate? Who leaked the information?
Catherine's real fear came when the repeated cross-examination of her department and colleagues began. She and her colleagues faced unprecedented fear and fear. Her Turkish husband was nearly sent home. All of this made Catherine decide to confess everything and made herself a traitor, an out-and-out traitor.
Regarding whether Katherine's actions are correct, the film actually gave her own opinions. The words spoken by the two characters not only became the official evaluation of the girl, but also moved the audience. One is Katherine's friend and colleague. When she came to Katherine's house at the risk of being watched, she cried and told Katherine before the newspaper. When Katherine reassured her "You didn't do anything wrong," she replied, "But I didn't do anything right either." That's right, sometimes when we don't do anything, it doesn't mean it's the right thing to do, just sit on the sidelines To become a habit, to a certain extent, actually condone the occurrence of evil. Only Catherine, who chooses to speak up, whether right or wrong, should be left to the public's judgment.
Catherine's human rights lawyer, after listening to her story, not only decided to defend her for free, but also decided to defend her not guilty. He said of Katherine: "When you know the consequences of your decision, you're going to lose everything, your husband, your job, your reputation and your status, but you still make your decision. It's a game you're very likely to lose. I have a lot of respect for the gamble that you lose everything but get nothing, but you still stick to the conscience you believe in."
This is a brave decision made by Catherine as an ordinary person. She is far less than the uproar brought by Snowden. She was even pressed all the way by the country she was loyal to and boarded the highest royal court. . But ironically, on the day of the trial, before the defense even started, the defense chose to give up the prosecution. Like a farce, Catherine was released in court.
Ironically, under the premise of knowing that it could not provide valid evidence, the British government still decided to create an effect, just to remind all intelligence staff, and to warn all potential "Catherines" to work peacefully and work quietly. Although Catherine was acquitted, it was difficult to find a job in the UK. It lasted for nearly ten years and suffered from financial difficulties. Then she moved to Turkey with her husband and started her life again.
This movie, starring Keira Knightley, doesn't have too many fake fireworks, and it is almost as real as a documentary. Even the clothes of Keira Knightley in the movie are completely reproduced. The entire film is almost all dialogue between characters, but the heart-wrenching and tense process is no worse than an action film. The Observer reporter's investigation, the government official's interrogation and inspection, the husband's fear of deportation, and the lawyer's step-by-step defense strategy The derivation allows people to fully enter the plot and worry about the fate of this weak woman.
The cast is also quite exciting. In addition to Keira Knightley's polished acting support, there are also familiar faces in the British drama "Doctor Who" and "The Crown" Matt Smith, British gentleman Matthew Goode, and Voldemort's actor Ralph Fiennes, young acting group and senior actors make every scene a rivalry-like spark, which can definitely be called an enjoyable movie viewing experience. "Official Secrets" is worth watching. I'm Avery from film and television. I hope you like today's content. See you next time.
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