It may not have been intended as such, but "Control Room" is in many ways the perfect companion piece to Michael Moore's "Fahrenheit 9/11."

Along with that film, this considerably less snarky but no less incendiary documentary does provide a potent one-two punch for the continuing cinematic Bush-bashing efforts. And it does so by showing how U.S. actions in Iraq are perceived by the Arab world, from the perspective of those working for the al-Jazeera Satellite Channel.

Admittedly, this film is just as flawed and, at times, just as one-sided and one-note as Moore's film. And there's no question that too often the filmmakers let statements by those on both sides go unchallenged.

Yet, it gives audiences in the Western world a glimpse into newsgathering efforts that are rarely if ever seen here. That alone is enough to make the film worthwhile — at least to those with open minds.

"Control Room" starts out as a profile of those who are in charge at al-Jazeera. However, as it turns out Egyptian-America filmmaker Jehane Noujaim and her crew are on hand to witness how the Arab media covers the U.S.-led coalition's invasion of Iraq.

Also, in one of its more powerful scenes, the film calls into question whether the coalition's bombing of one of al-Jazeera's headquarters (which led to the death of a cameraman) might have been a retaliatory measure for its unfavorable and often hostile news coverage.

Still, it's not the most balanced documentary. For one thing, it seems as if Noujaim goes out of her way to make coalition leaders look ridiculous (such as the inclusion of a scene in which a reporter points out how much the nickname of U.S. Central Command, or "Cent.com," sounds like "sitcom").

However, she does find an eloquent voice for the other side in the person of U.S. Marine Lt. Josh Rushing, a U.S. press officer attempting to keep the various news outlets apprised of each development in the military "operation." (A separate film about Rushing might have been equally fascinating.)

"Control Room" is not rated but would probably receive an R for news footage of wartime violence (gunfire, bombings and other explosive mayhem), occasional use of strong sexual profanity and some ethnic slurs, and some gory, graphic images. Running time: 86 minutes.

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E-MAIL: jeff@desnews.com