The Unknown Known

Documentary about Donald Rumsfeld, one of the most influential figures in US politics in the second half of the 20th century: he was a member of Congress, a staffer at the Pentagon and Secretary of Defense. He repeatedly attracted attention with his pithy words, but above all with his appearances in 2003, in which he presented supposed evidence of weapons of mass destruction in Iraq that were supposed to justify a preventive strike by the USA. In “Known and Unknown”, there is no evidence that the political hardliner would admit his mistakes. Documentary filmmaker Errol Morris lets Rumsfeld speak indirectly in the film by presenting quotes from the former defense secretary that are meant to illustrate his political stance and actions and show how much of a role he played in shaping the political agenda of his home country.