The war up close: See what soldiers see
Concord Monitor
June 21, 2006
Author: Monitor editorial

Even in a wired world, it is amazing how disconnected Americans can be from events that profoundly affect our country. Consider the Iraq war. How well do Americans, even those sent to fight the war, know Iraqi culture? And how much do those of us back home really understand about the experiences of the young people we send to fight in Iraq?
Concord area residents will have a special opportunity to consider this intelligence gap tomorrow night. At 7 o'clock at the Capitol Center for the Arts, The War Tapes will have its New Hampshire premiere.

The occasion is special for three reasons.

For one, the film, which won the prize for best documentary at the Tribeca Film Festival, was shot mainly by soldiers from a New Hampshire-based infantry outfit and directed by a filmmaker from Goshen.

For another, during a discussion after the screening, the three principal camera-toting soldiers and director Deborah Scranton will be among those present to answer audience questions.

And third, Red River Theatres, which is working to bring an independent movie house to downtown Concord, has arranged for not only the premiere but also several showings Saturday and Sunday. Despite the warehouse theaters on the Heights, the film might have had no big-screen presence in Concord without Red River's efforts.

The subject of the film is a year in Iraq with Charlie Company, 3rd Battalion, 172nd Mountain Infantry Regiment. Scranton outfitted soldiers with cameras, which they mounted on their Humvees and otherwise used to record their experiences in Iraq. Referring to the standard technique of embedding reporters with military units, one reviewer wrote that for viewers of the film, the effect is like being embedded in the soldiers' heads.

The vast majority of reviews of The War Tapes have been positive. A couple have faulted it for not taking a stand on the war, and several have noted that it ignores the perspective of the Iraqis.

It is, in fact, limited to the view of the soldiers. It is an edited, guided video diary of their experiences. (The film includes profanity and disturbing images. It is not suitable for small children.) The soldiers are not without opinions of the war, but the film allows viewers to make up their own minds. That is its great strength.

The War Tapes is faithful to the experiences of the men who shot it. It is shaped not so much to change opinions as to inform them. Seeing it will change the way you see the war.

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