True Tale of an Extraordinary Man: The Mauritanian - Jail Inmate Pens Memoir
The root of The Mauritanian's creation traces back to 2015, while Mohamedou Ould Slahi remained imprisoned in Guantanamo Bay (GTMO). Slahi, the first detainee to author a memoir during captivity, hadn't received a copy of his book while incarcerated[1].
Nancy Hollander, Slahi's lawyer, found the unique nature of his memoir captivating, expressing, "This is him, and it's what he went through – we can now portray it in a film." Set in motion by Mohamedou's memoir, "Guantánamo Diary," multiple producers, including Lloyd Levin, Beatriz Levin, and Michael Bronner, worked together to bring Slahi's story to the big screen[1].
"When we read 'Guantanamo Diary,' we were surprised by its wit, poetry, and wisdom. Mohamedou's innate humanity… inspired us," said Lloyd, one of the producers[1]. Inspired by his reading, Benedict Cumberbatch sought to create the film, declaring, "I was utterly charmed by him and his story was heart-breaking and troubling."[1]
Tracing the journey from page to screen, the screenplay of The Mauritanian was crafted by M.B. Traven and Rory Haines & Sohrab Noshirvani[1]. Haines & Noshirvani, having met in a screenwriting class at Columbia University, thrived on Slahi's engagement in the process[1]. Noshirvani applauded, "Without him and his input, we could not have done it. His book is so insightful, and it's only with his input that we could write it."[1]
Navigating the challenges of adapting a true-life story, producer Adam Ackland emphasized the need for a unique director to shepherd Mohamedou's tale. Drawing upon his background in both documentary and drama filmmaking, Academy Award-winning director Kevin Macdonald was tapped for the role[1].
Macdonald faced convincing, balancing factual accuracy with cinematic intrigue, assuring, "I saw the opportunity in this film to make something that is a thriller, yet also about wonderful characters who you'll fall in love with."[1]
As the project came together, casting Mohamedou's character became crucial. Clarke, one of the film's producers, sought a North African actor who could speak French, Arabic, and English. Macdonald had previously worked with Tahar Rahim on The Eagle. Recalling his first reaction to the script, Rahim shared, "I cried. An innocent man imprisoned, tortured – it's an amazing story."[1]
The pivotal roles of Nancy Hollander and Mohamedou were filled by critically acclaimed actress Jodie Foster and Tahar Rahim respectively. Foster, who has also directed films like Little Man Tate and Money Monster, found the script "complex... with geopolitics, legal terminology, and multiple countries involved, but it also leans towards my particular cinematic skillset."[1]
Amidst scouting international locations that could replicate the four diverse worlds of the story, Cape Town was chosen as the primary site for the film's production. Curtailing the vast GTMO set to three locations, including Paarl, Strandfontein, and the Cape Town Film Studios, the team aimed to offer authenticity in both appearance and atmosphere[2].
The key challenge for the filmmakers lay in authentically recreating the four distinct worlds and capturing the essence of Mohamedou's experience. As Production Designer Michael Carlin elaborated, "even if it's a made-up story, you want to find the truth of that."[2]
Throughout the production process, Mohamedou and Nancy visited the set, providing valuable input and ensuring the film remained faithful to their experiences. However, Mohamedou's travel was often uncertain due to the restrictions placed on him since his release from GTMO[2]. Despite the obstacles, the crew successfully delivered a powerful and captivating film that resonated with audiences worldwide.
- In their screenwriting class at Columbia University, Rory Haines and Sohrab Noshirvani thrived on Slahi's engagement in the process of adapting his memoir, "Guantánamo Diary," for the screen.
- For the role of Mohamedou, the film's producers sought a North African actor who could speak French, Arabic, and English, eventually choosing Tahar Rahim, who had previously worked with director Kevin Macdonald.
- In the realm of education and self-development, Jodie Foster, recognized for directing films like Little Man Tate and Money Monster, found the script for the film captivating, with its complexity and lean towards her particular cinematic skillset.
- To add to the film's authenticity, the filmmakers painstakingly recreated four distinct worlds, driven by the production designer's philosophy: "even if it's a made-up story, you want to find the truth of that."
