“Take No Prisoners” chronicles Roger Carstens’ efforts to free Eyvin Hernandez, a public defender imprisoned in Venezuela. Directors Ciralsky and De offer exclusive insights into hostage negotiations, capturing the emotional struggle of Hernandez’s family amidst significant political complexities. The film, which premieres at SXSW, emphasizes the need for advocacy for lesser-known hostages.
In “Take No Prisoners,” directors Adam Ciralsky and Subrata De provide unique access to Roger Carstens, America’s former top hostage negotiator, who is fighting to liberate L.A. public defender Eyvin Hernandez from a Venezuelan prison. The film’s opening resembles a dramatic thriller, showing the exchange of convicted drug traffickers for several Americans, which includes the Citgo Five. However, the documentary primarily focuses on Carstens’s endeavor to rescue Hernandez, who was imprisoned while traveling near the Colombian-Venezuelan border.
In early 2022, Hernandez was detained for purportedly engaging in criminal activities during a passport-related trip. Ciralsky, noting the gravity of Hernandez’s plight, emphasizes the lack of media attention surrounding his situation compared to more publicized cases. He states that their goal was to authentically capture the family’s struggle and raise awareness about Hernandez’s circumstances.
The Biden administration granted Ciralsky unprecedented access to document hostage negotiations, which spanned multiple locations from Canouan to Caracas. This involvement reflects the administration’s belief that this issue could be a notable success in foreign policy, as highlighted by Ciralsky’s observation that no opposing force in Washington would oppose the release of Americans from foreign prisons.
Ciralsky and De aimed to portray the complex emotional landscape shared by both the families of hostages and the negotiation teams. De highlights that individuals at the center of these situations often experience a drawn-out emotional struggle, filled with uncertainty and fluctuating hope. The film interweaves these dramatic moments, revealing the harsh realities faced by families and government teams alike.
Regarding distribution after SXSW, Ciralsky mentioned that there is interest in the project, although the timeline of the article, documentary, and scripted series has been unconventional. Their multifaceted storytelling aims to shed light on a lesser-known but crucial issue regarding American hostages abroad.
“Take No Prisoners” emerges as a significant documentary that unveils the sobering realities of hostage negotiations and the often overlooked cases like Eyvin Hernandez. By focusing on the emotional weight of the situation for both families and negotiators, the film emphasizes the personal stakes behind high-profile political dramas. The unprecedented access granted by the Biden administration adds depth to the narrative, illustrating a government engagement with sensitive international issues. Ciralsky and De’s work highlights a crucial advocacy component, encouraging broader public awareness and empathy towards those caught in such harrowing circumstances.
Original Source: variety.com
