I liked the overall message and theme of the movie. I am passionate about the topic of freedom vs. security. However, being the feminist that I am, I was turned off by many things. It irks me when more than half the movie they show Maggie Gyllenhaal nude, and only a brief glimpse of the other victim, a male. The reason is that two individuals, an American woman in some Asian country and a foreign male in America, are being held on aiding a terrorist. Glenn Close is interrogating the male, and some Asian male interrogating Maggie Gyllenhaal. Around 25 minutes in, (It is a 55 minute film) the victims are told to take off their clothes. As it always is with Hollywood films, Maggie Gyllenhaal is shown off a lot more imo.Also, during one scene that would horrify any female undergoing it, the officer makes her stand against a wall with her legs spread and palms flat against the wall. He feels up her breasts, and then he says some line like how he is "going to do it every day until it is like breathing. And the best part is, I didn't even have to touch you" Umm, except he definitely does so I do not get that part. Nevertheless, it was enough to make any girl squirm at the thought of some strange man doing that to you.Then it cuts to the scene were Glenn Close is interrogating the male victim. She looks over his neck, shoulders, back, and arms with a flashlight, and says the exact same line. In this case, it makes sense. She did not touch him. I found this scene to be pretty absurd and unrealistic. She would be feeling him up too and, of course, the movie does not show this. Who looks over someone with a flashlight? That is not all that terrifying, and I guess that is why he did not confess at the end, but Maggie Gyllenhaal did. Either way, personally I am tired of so much female nudity and the taboo about showing anything but a male behind in movies. They say it adds realism and a connection but I find it detracts from taking a film seriously. Imo, a good story that can entertain and keep the audience's attention without nudity is always a better-made film then one that must rely on it. Plus, there are better movies that take a look at the balance between security and individual liberties.

The short film itself was an interesting concept. Unlike normal films that are meant to tell a story this was a well constructed film to ask very basic fundamental question. Security or Liberty. It's Nothing new, "The man who trades freedom for security does not deserve nor will he ever receive either." - Benjamin FranklinThis isn't some crackpot theory that conspiracy theorist are trying to pull on anyone. These are the same rights that Americans fought and died for this is there Consitution, laws that over the years citizens have taken for granted. This film might not be realistic but the idea behind the way it trys to show the viewer exactly what one can loose by giving up ones rights for freedom. If you were arrested today for any crime you could use the rigths that were given to you as citizen of your country with the exception of terrorists. Terrorists? what are they? you might come up with an image of a Muslim man as viewed in the film. But this is mistaken perception "the patriot act" doesn't say inclusive to only Muslims it says Anyone who is against the government plan.If you don't believe me then just goggle "The Patriot Act" actually read it, they don't hide anything truly Orwell would be rolling in his grave at this bill. Also if you can get a hold of a German History Text book, and read the laws in acted during pre-WW2 Nazi Germany Era, they created there own Patriot Act, and finally introduced the gestapo. Secret Police to arrest anyone who was Ploting against there own government. We are all in a world of trouble and the players involved at the highest levels are never what they seem. I suggest for anyone who is interested in learning somewhat of the real truth visit Question911.com they won't show any of this in the media.

I just watched this film (on European television), but didn't see from the very beginning what it was called. So I looked it up here on IMDb. "Strip Search" is a terrible title. What were they thinking? That I think is an example of what is wrong with the film. They have a story with a very interesting political premise, but they gave it some crap title more appropriate for a straight-to-video Shannon Tweed flick.Well, it IS an interesting premise, that the U.S. domestic response to 9/11 has brought the country closer in some respects to the police states it still publicly condemns. It is a premise with which I strongly agree. And the plot vehicle of playing the same dialogue in a U.S. and a Chinese prison was a very good idea. But it is all really poorly done.The biggest problem is the dialogue itself, which is clichéd. It really could have used a few rewrites. Surprising that it came from Tom Fontana, of the great "Homicide: Life On the Streets" TV series.The other problem is that except for Glenn Close and Maggie Gyllenhaal, the other actors are unable to rise above the hack dialogue. Ken Leung I thought was particularly bad. And in movies, the ultimate blame for poor performances has to be laid at the feet of the director, in this case the legendary Sidney Lumet. (But let's face it, Lumet hasn't made a truly great film since 1976's "Network" (1976), and not even a good film since 1988's "Running On Empty.") With the exception of the acting of Close and Gyllenhaal, the whole film feels like a hack job. The political message is hammered home with all the subtlety of a German jazz band, complete with inter-cut speeches about freedom and democracy from U.S. presidents, and a fadeout with statistics about U.S. detainees. Sheesh.Too bad, this could have been a thought-provoking film. It's so poorly done and overwrought that it just won't change anyone's mind.

In the post 9/11 world, fear has been indoctrinated into most aspects of our lives. Governments worldwide manipulated and capitalized on this for their own gain - financially, politically and strategically. The Bush-driven Patriot Act has seen many people (guilty and otherwise no doubt) detained, tortured and dehumanized. Since a large percentage of the population are unaware that political agendas of media owners exist, they passively believe what they see on their nightly TV news or read in their daily newspapers. They are taught to fear the unknown, to trust their leaders implicitly (because they use nice words in speeches like 'freedom' and 'family') and not to question motives.'Strip Search' is a deliberate attempt to throw the light of reality into this collective 'un'consciousness.The storyline involves parallel stories of two people being detained in custody: an American woman in China, and a Middle Eastern man in the US. By using almost exactly the same dialogue, we are shown how to think outside the usual spectrum, and to feel compassion for both people. Without the twin story of the American woman, people would undoubtedly walk away from this feel feeling a lot differently.The acting is astonishing. One feels that this film meant more than just another job to the actors involved. I admire them immensely for their efforts.Hopefully this film will change a few minds, and that as a result - the world might become just that little bit better.