The Mauritanian trailer showcases Cumberbatch and Foster in legal thriller

By Steve Seigh

Posted 5 years ago

Last Updated on August 2, 2021

Jodie Foster, Benedict Cumberbatch, and Tahar Rahim star in the new trailer for The Mauritanian, a hard-hitting legal drama based on the true story of Guantánamo Bay detainee Mohamedou Ould Slahi. Directed by Kevin Macdonald (The Last King of Scotland, State of Play) from a script by M.B. Traven, Rory Haines, and Sohrab Noshirvani, the film tells the story of a man who spent 14 years in detention on suspicion that he was somehow connected to the devastating 9/11 terror attacks in 2001. Based on his best-selling memoir, Guantánamo Diary, The Mauritanian takes an in-depth look at the reprehensible treatment of Guantánamo prisoners as well as how justice sometimes prevails for those who never give up the fight.

sponsored content

Here's the official synopsis for The Mauritanian:

Captured by the U.S. Government, Mohamedou Ould Slahi (Tahar Rahim) languishes in prison for years without charge or trial. Losing all hope, Slahi finds allies in defense attorney Nancy Hollander (Jodie Foster) and her associate Teri Duncan (Shailene Woodley). Together they face countless obstacles in a desperate pursuit for justice. Their controversial advocacy, along with evidence uncovered by the formidable military prosecutor, Lt. Colonel Stuart Couch (Benedict Cumberbatch), eventually reveals a shocking and far-reaching conspiracy. Based on the New York Times best-selling memoir, this is the explosive true story of a fight for survival against all odds.

Joining Foster, Cumberbatch, and Tahar for the intense true-life drama are Zachary Levi and Saamer Usmani with Shailene Woodley.

“The motivator for myself and I think for all the actors was Mohamedou himself, and what an extraordinary person he is,” Macdonald recently said while speaking with Vanity Fair. “A wonderful, warm, humorous individual.”

“I see it as a film about him, as a very personal film, rather than as a political film,” he continued. “I think people are expecting a film about how terrible Guantánamo is, but we already know that.”

The Mauritanian is set for a February 19, 2021 release.

Source: BBC Films, Vanity Fair

Tags: Benedict Cumberbatch, Drama, Film, Jodie Foster, Saamer Usmani, Shailene Woodley, Tahar Rahim, The Mauritanian, trailer, Zachary Levi

About the Author

Steve Seigh

News Editor / Columnist

10,179 Articles Published

Favorite Movies: Death to Smoochy, The Big Lebowski, Fear and Loathing in Las read more Vegas, The Crow, KPop Demon Hunters, The Sword in the Stone, Spirited Away, The Fisher King, The Shining, Planes, Trains, and Automobiles, The Burbs, The Babadook, Summer Wars, The Princess Bride, Mad Max: Fury Road, The Game, In the Mouth of Madness, Who Framed Roger Rabbit, Monsters Inc., Amelie, The Crow, Fight Club, O Brother, Where Art Thou?

Likes: Getting lost in waves of sound while cocooned in a pair read more of serious headphones, comic book characters, film, and television, a delicious tumbler of whiskey, scientifically-inclined Canadians, wearing pajamas in public, pancakes, bacon, and long walks on the beach

The comment section exists to allow readers to discuss the article constructively and respectfully, focused on the topic at hand.

What’s Not Allowed

Abusive language, insults, or harassment toward other users or staff.
Hate speech of any kind is strictly prohibited.
Bickering, bullying, personal attacks, or baiting others to argue
Extended off-topic debates, especially those centered on politics or religion rather than the article topic
No AI content or SPAM