Pakistani critics say ‘Zero Dark Thirty’ has many factual errors

Oscar-nominated film Zero Dark Thirty is stirring up controversy in Pakistan, one of the main settings where the movie takes place.

According to the Associated Press, Pakistani critics dislike the portrayal of their country in the film and it will most likely not be released to general audiences.

The film, which traces the hunt of al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden, follows Navy SEALs and they search for and eventually kill the man.

Michael Phillips of the The Chicago Tribune, called the film “a rousing true (-ish) story of hostages freed and rights wronged and, in every sense, Hollywood triumphant.”

Many critics see a problem with the film’s depiction that bin Laden was hiding out in Pakistan’s equivalent of West Point for several years.

Not only is the film causing discomfort in the country for this controversy, some people are pointing out factual errors. For example, many scenes in the film show people speaking Arabic, when in fact Pakistanis speak Urdu or Pashto.

Nadeem F. Paracha, a columnist for the English language newspaper Dawn, told the Associated Press, "How can you make a Hollywood blockbuster, put in so much money and get simple things wrong? Instead of the film being taken seriously, it became a joke among Pakistanis."

Photo Courtesy of Sony Pictures