National Bird

Name: National Bird
Genre: Documentary
Released: November 11, 2016
Duration: 92 min
Rating: 75

2016

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Generally favorable reviews based on 11 Critic Reviews

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National Bird

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Movie Details & Credits

FilmRise | Release Date: November 11, 2016 | Not Rated

Summary: National Bird follows the harrowing journey of three U.S. military veteran whistleblowers determined to break the silence surrounding America’s secret drone war. Tortured by guilt for their participation in the killing of faceless people in foreign countries, and despite the threat of being prosecuted under the Espionage Act, these threeNational Bird follows the harrowing journey of three U.S. military veteran whistleblowers determined to break the silence surrounding America’s secret drone war. Tortured by guilt for their participation in the killing of faceless people in foreign countries, and despite the threat of being prosecuted under the Espionage Act, these three veterans offer an unprecedented look inside this secret program to reveal the haunting cost of America’s global drone strikes. … Expand

Director: Sonia Kennebeck

Genre(s): Documentary

Rating: Not Rated

Runtime: 92 min

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Critic Reviews

Lauren Humphries-Brooks

Oct 21, 2016

National Bird is a scathing and clearly delineated expose on America’s use of drone warfare and the effects it has on both the victims of the attacks and the crews operating the aircraft. Read full review

The Film Stage John Fink

Oct 19, 2016

Mixing talking heads and on-the-ground footage, National Bird is a vital film about the true cost of war, well-reported by Kennebeck. Read full review

The Playlist Oktay Ege Kozak

Nov 14, 2016

This isn’t merely “eating your cinematic vegetables,” as Kennebeck manages to present a well-paced and structured documentary that’s also culturally significant. Read full review

The Guardian Alex Needham

Oct 21, 2016

With stealth and elegance, Kennebeck brings these alarming truths into the light. Read full review

Michael O'Sullivan

Nov 17, 2016

Kennebeck may be a newcomer to feature filmmaking, but her grasp of the material is accomplished. Read full review

Jordan Mintzer

Oct 21, 2016

National Bird hardly offers any counterpoint to the arguments presented, nor does it attempt to show how drones could possibly save the lives of U.S. soldiers either on the ground or in the air. But it does reveal a program whose international reach and seemingly limitless surveillance powers are extraordinarily difficult to keep in check. Read full review

Craig D. Lindsey

Nov 29, 2016

National Bird shows that war will always be hell, even for those who aren’t on the battleground. Kennebeck directs with a cold, distant eye, almost giving her subjects the same treatment they gave all those poor souls they targeted. Read full review

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Deanomite

Feb 6, 2020

It is about the army drone bombing and whistleblowers against it. Very well made, interesting how a girl from massage school drone bombed people. They state at one point that once the bomb drops, nobody goes to check identification to verify targets, the real power is that it is easy toIt is about the army drone bombing and whistleblowers against it. Very well made, interesting how a girl from massage school drone bombed people. They state at one point that once the bomb drops, nobody goes to check identification to verify targets, the real power is that it is easy to say all the dead were targets, for who is to argue. Also one guy says there is no moral or immoral to it. The lament of the survivors is haunting. The Afghans with legs blown off is disturbing, very impressive that interviews with Afghan victims is done.… Expand

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