In one of the strangest years in film history, it stands to reason that awards season would be a complete unknown. What films will make it in time? Which late-entries will surprise us? And what the hell are the ceremonies going to actually look like? Well, we really don’t have many answers, but we do know that STXFilms is hoping “The Mauritanian” is part of the conversation.
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As seen in the trailer for “The Mauritanian,” the film is swooping in at the last minute in an extended Oscars-qualifying window to try to make some noise thanks to its incredible cast and based-on-a-true-story plot that is sure to attract some viewers. The film follows the true story of the trial of Mohamedou Ould Slahi, a prisoner at Guantanamo Bay that is thought to have been the recruiter for the terrorists that attacked the US on 9/11. Slahi is joined by two American attorneys to challenge his imprisonment, which they argued was illegal and unwarranted.
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The film stars Jodie Foster, Tahar Rahim, Zachary Levi, Saamer Usmani, Shailene Woodley, and Benedict Cumberbatch. Kevin Macdonald is the director of the film with the script written by M.B. Traven and Rory Haines & Sohrab Noshirvani. The filmmaker is probably best known for his Oscar-winning documentary, “One Day in September.” He’s also the director of various narrative features such as “The Last King of Scotland,” “State of Play,” and “The Eagle.”
“The Mauritanian” debuts in theaters on February 19, 2021. You can watch the trailer below.
Here’s the synopsis:
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 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.