A film blog for students of my classes at Santa Clara University. Use this blog to discuss the films we are studying, classic films, current releases or production issues you encounter while making your own films.
Wednesday, September 23, 2015
Restrepo documentary, part II
What is the story of this film? What is the theme and how does it relate to the story?
17 comments:
Anonymous
said...
Restrepo is about the lives of the U.S. soldiers that were deployed in Korengal Valley, the most dangerous place to be stationed in Afghanistan. The documentary tells the story of the 15-month reality of the men living in Restrepo, an outpost they named after one of the soldiers killed during their stay. I believe there are two themes in this documentary: the truth of the war in Afghanistan and brotherhood. The directors, Tim Hetherington and Sebastian Junger, took part on this dangerous journey because they wanted viewers to experience what the soldiers in Afghanistan experience. They did just that. Because it was direct cinema, Hetherington and Junger never interfered, but only captured the truth. Another theme is brotherhood because the film also demonstrates how close the soldiers are to each other and how much of a struggle it is for the soldiers when their friends are killed in the war. The soldiers only have each other out there in the dangerous, foreign country, and this documentary highlights that. I believe the two themes of Restrepo completely correlate to the story. The story of the film tells viewers what the soldiers go through during their time period, and the main theme is to demonstrate to readers the truth about their lives. The theme is the story. The theme of brotherhood is an addition to what happens at war and what the soldiers experience.
Restrepo follows several soldiers who are tasked with fighting the Taliban in one of the most remote and dangerous parts of Afghanistan. There are many things that both nature and the "bad guys" throw at them. The theme is best characterized as order, or good, versus chaos, vaguely "evil." It is not clearly good versus evil, as we never really see the "enemy." Throughout the film, we see that the soldiers struggle against mountains and weather as they try to set up O.P. Restrepo and build a road for safe passage and commerce all while being fired upon by the Taliban.
Simply put, Restrepo is about a group of U.S. soldiers trying to fight the Taliban in Korengal Valley while also (obviously) trying to stay alive. But I think the underlying story is about this group of U.S. soldiers who are just trying to do their jobs while maintaining some sense of humanity in a situation that doesn't necessarily allow for it. In this same way, I think the theme is probably humanity and how it's almost paradoxical in war. Tim Hetherington and Sebastian Junger capture this theme in their cinematic approach which is both direct cinema and cinema verite in the sense that the audience is exposed not only to the humanity of the soldiers, but also to the humanity of the locals in Korengal Valley. For example, there are moments that seem completely contradictory like when one of the soldiers was setting up his sniper rifle while also talking to his friend about his family ranch, or when another talked about how he'll always be haunted by seeing his friend's dead body but also wishes that he could have gotten closer to his enemies so that he could've seen them when he killed them. There are also some moments where you see how great the struggle is when the filmmakers capture the humanity of the locals in the Valley who are greatly impacted by the U.S. presence. For example, when the soldiers had to meet with the locals to try and resolve the issue of the killed cow-- I felt bad for the man who lost his cow because that was his livelihood, which he couldn't get back or be reimbursed for. Another instance was when the soldiers went through a village they just bombed, and the filmmakers capture a shot of injured children and women who look absolutely terrified. So here, the audience is conflicted because we know that the U.S. soldiers are doing their job and protecting us as American citizens, but also there is a sense of guilt because they are intruding on innocent people's lives. I even think there are moments in this film where you can see the soldiers distancing themselves emotionally from a situation because they don't know how to process it. That being said, I think this film is a story about soldiers who try and maintain some sense of normalcy in a situation that is anything but, and who are in conflict with trying to understand the humanity of others while also trying to hold onto their own.
Restrepo tells the story of a group of US soldiers that were deployed for 15 months to fight the Taliban, which was considered one of the most dangerous postings in the US military. The film gives the audience an insiders perspective to the men and women who defend our country, making us as the viewer realize their harsh reality and better understand why these men and women don't want to discuss what happens during their deployment. The film shows these soldiers trying to keep their sanity and some level of normalcy to their lives while trying to stay alive and protect American citizens overall. This is results in many very contradictory and almost unsettling scenes where the soldiers are shown having normal day to day conversations like one soldier talking about his family ranch while doing non-day to day activities like setting up a sniper riffle. The film also captures an amazing aspect of humanity, showing how we are all one and the same deep down, which stirs this feeling of guilt since the soldiers are in a way intruding on people's lives. Humanity is shown amongst the soldiers to show the bond that develops between them as they are basically abandoned in this valley. The scene where the soldiers all pile on top of each other during the song "Touch Me" just shows how much they need that physical intimacy and connection and brotherhood to survive and have the energy to keep going. The film also captures the humanity of the people living in the valley, showing shots of injured children and villagers after a bombing, which is very contradictory and causes the viewer to see the situation from a different perspective.
Restrepo is a group of soldiers narrating their story of the months they spent in Afghanistan trying to find and destroy the Taliban. They are challenged with the remoteness of their location, their miscommunication with the local people, and the constant fear of being killed and never seeing their families again. Theme: in the midst of the constant mayhem the soldiers develop a brotherly love and devotion to each other. A moment of human connection is seen when Restrepo plays the guitar and sings about missing home the island of Hawaii while his fellow soldiers listen quietly and imagine their homes. We see how hard it is for the men to be in such an aggressive and dangerous environment yet despite the odds they learn to be strong, adapt and move on. There is a scene where two soldiers are talking to each other on the walkies about their families. This heart-warming conversation all happens as one of them is setting up a machine gun and it ends with them talking about how they kill their enemy and say “ We will take their hearts and take their minds” A scene that really embodies brotherhood is when the boys gather around the cook and tell the cameraman how he is the best cook ever and then give him a big group hug. Cook says “C’mon man, we on tv man.” They all laugh and one says “Don’t fight it.” I feel this theme is successful not only because it shows what it is like to be in combat but it connects us to the loss of a fellow friend. Seeing the reaction at the time of the loss with tears and confusion and seeing it later on when the soldiers are back home and their struggles remembering that horrible moment. The most powerful moments are the silent ones; when the soldiers look into the camera trying to gather their feelings but we see right into their soul.
Restrepo is a documentary film about a platoon of US soldiers who are stationed in the Korengal Valley in the heart of Afghanistan spanning more than a calendar year. This valley during the time was considered by many to be one of, if not the most dangerous place(s) in the world. The U.S. sent these troops in to protect the civilians living in the valley from a Taliban group that was taking control of the area. Obviously this movie is shown from the point of the view from the American soldiers. What makes this film stand out is the fact that it is a direct cinema film, which means that there were no scripts, no actors, no sets, and no takes for this film. What was shown in the film was exactly what happened in real life, which makes this movie even more unbelievable for people who have never experienced war up close like this. I believe this to be one of the main reasons the filmmakers created this film, and in that sense this theme of brutal honestly is one of the central themes to the documentary. There have been many films about war, and many films depicting what actually occurs during the middle of a battle. This film is unique though, not only because of the raw footage we see that provides insight into the terrible environments that these soldiers occupied for 15 months, we also get to see the reflections of these same soldiers months after the fact. The personal interviews of the surviving soldiers is really where this documentary stands out. These soldiers bravely recount the events of those 15 months, and they aren't afraid to show their true emotions and feelings for the events. Many of them open up about the struggles they continue to have with these incidents today. That is where this film really hit home with me. I have seen my fair share of war films, but there isn't one that I can recall watching that has these deep reflections after the fact. It is hard to watch at times but is necessary to get the central theme of brutal honesty across to the viewers.
Restrepo follows the 15 month assignment of the second platoon in the Korengal Valley in Afghanistan. This valley saw some of the most intense fighting in the war in Afghanistan ("70% of the bombs that were dropped at that time were dropped in the Korengal Valley." -Captain Dan Kearney), so these soldiers were subjected to chronic fire fights and constant threats of ambush. The story is about how this group of soldiers persevered through loss, violence, and tension to survive and fight. A prominent theme throughout is the resilience of the human spirit to find meaning and life in the darkest of times and places. The filmmakers included numerous scenes of the soldiers finding happiness in each other- whether it be in a spontaneous dance party, a good-natured wrestling match, or a relaxing game of chess. Even when happiness could not be found, the brothers persisted through firefight after firefight to continue living for each other. The company also found meaning in their accomplishments for their country- namely building the Restrepo Post. This desire for meaning in what they do is found throughout the film. At the same time, I couldn't help but feel a sense of futility- that these soldiers were trying to find meaning while fighting an meaningless war. This theme can be seen subtly throughout the film. The Americans destroy the enemy encampment, only to find that they killed 5 innocents as well. During the "Shura" with the village elders, the talks do not make progress. Even in the empty faces of the interviewees as they recall the events, the viewer gets a sense of the trauma and pain that they will carry forever. This sense of the futility of war weaves itself quietly into the story.
'Restrepo' follows a military unit based in the Korangal Valley, Afghanistan, one of the most notoriously active zones of the war in Afghanistan. The platoon's role is to secure and bolster a road so that locals can move freely throughout the area without fear of the taliban. The film alternates between interviews with the surviving soldiers and footage of their time in Afghanistan. Restrepo takes us into the lives of the soldiers off and on the active battle field, juxtaposing scenes of camaraderie and high-jinks with scenes of tension filled battle. They are like anyone else-they make fun of one another, they play instruments, they have impromptu dance parties. The men of the unit are revealed to be fun-loving and full of life and immensely connected to one another, which is what makes it so painful to see "Doc" Restrepo killed on the battlefield. The unit moves on, building Restrepo Post in his honor after securing a major point of land from the Taliban, which many interviewees describe as their proudest moment. The film shows more of the many ugly sides of war, depicting the frustration on both sides as civilians and soldiers alike struggle to communicate in meetings and progress seems impossible. We see a successful mission result in civilian injury and loss of life, a reminder of the innocent victims of war.
The theme of this film is humanity, as the juxtaposition of interviews and raw field footage serves well as a reminder that war places ordinary people in an extraordinarily dehumanizing situation. We see dead and injured civilian children as well as soldiers. As the unit draws near the end of their deployment, the last mission we see them complete is named "Rock Avalanche." We see the emotional toll the loss of Sgt. Rougle leave one soldier devastated during battle. The interviews grow emotional as well, as members of the unit describe the pain, the fear, and the toll the events we've seen have taken on them. Because it is a direct cinema film, and there was no interference on the part of the filmmakers we pure humanity and the effects war has on it quite clearly.
Restrepo is a documentary following a United Stated platoon deployed in the Korengal Valley in Afghanistan. This valley was deemed the most dangerous point in the world at the time and saw some of the most gunfire/bombings during the war. The men in the film were stationed in the valley for just over a year. The goal of the US involvement was to assist the civilian population with societal development. A main road spanning across the valley being one of the main objectives. However, this proved more difficult than Captain Kearney. The civilians were sometimes hard to work with and were constantly watched for sings of terrorist activity/involvement. Along the journey to gain control of the valley, men were lost. One of these men being Juan Restrepo. It was a hard loss for all the men, especially the men that were being interviewed. Half way through the film the platoon make a huge strategical advanement and secured the creation of an outpost that changed the dynamic of the valley forever. This outpost was then named Restrepo, and is still called that today. Although the US was still involved to help and protect the native civilians, the film started to embody much more. The film didn't only show the day to day brutality of the war and the constant fighting, but it showed the heart of the platoon. It showed their will to not back down when times got hard, and to persevere through it and to get the job done. The filmmakers did a great job with this film. This film made me really appreciate my life more and helped me to better understand what men of the Second Platoon, Battle Company, 173rd Airborne Brigade had to face physically and emotionally.
Restrepo is a documentary following a United Stated platoon deployed in the Korengal Valley in Afghanistan. This valley was deemed the most dangerous point in the world at the time and saw some of the most gunfire/bombings during the war. The men in the film were stationed in the valley for just over a year. The goal of the US involvement was to assist the civilian population with societal development. A main road spanning across the valley being one of the main objectives. However, this proved more difficult than Captain Kearney. The civilians were sometimes hard to work with and were constantly watched for sings of terrorist activity/involvement. Along the journey to gain control of the valley, men were lost. One of these men being Juan Restrepo. It was a hard loss for all the men, especially the men that were being interviewed. Half way through the film the platoon make a huge strategical advanement and secured the creation of an outpost that changed the dynamic of the valley forever. This outpost was then named Restrepo, and is still called that today. Although the US was still involved to help and protect the native civilians, the film started to embody much more. The film didn't only show the day to day brutality of the war and the constant fighting, but it showed the heart of the platoon. It showed their will to not back down when times got hard, and to persevere through it and to get the job done. The filmmakers did a great job with this film. This film made me really appreciate my life more and helped me to better understand what men of the Second Platoon, Battle Company, 173rd Airborne Brigade had to face physically and emotionally.
Restrepo is a documentary that follows a U.S. platoon for the duration of their deployment in Afghanistan. The story of the film is about the soldiers in the platoon and how they deal with the difficult task of infiltrating one of the most dangerous areas in the war, known as the Korengal Valley. The film throws us straight into the action without very little backstory to begin the film. The soldiers are under constant attack from the Taliban and the film shows the soldiers in many firefights and bombings. The film becomes more about the story of the soldiers than the actual military objectives they had. Their objective was to try and clear the area of the Taliban while also establishing good relations and job/structural opportunities for the locals. However, the story is about how in trying to fulfill those objectives, the soldiers try to keep their physical safety and mental sanity in the midst of so much chaos. One of the central themes of this film is brotherhood. It seems that the only thing that keeps these soldiers going is the bond they have with one another. They name the outpost they construct after a fallen soldier in their group, Restrepo, and they are constantly paying homage to those who were killed in action. The film shows just how devastating it is when someone is killed, as can be seen when one of the soldiers breaks down after seeing that one of his friends was killed. There is that sense of the soldiers knowing that they are in an extremely difficult situation, but at least they are there together having each other's backs. The film also gives the audience a raw , inside look into the lives of these soldiers. There are times we want to cry, such as when one of the soldiers dies, and times when we laugh, such as when they figure out the music and start dancing. This documentary is a first-hand look into the difficult job of fighting such a dangerous war and dealing with the consequences of having done so.
Restrepo is a documentary about a group of US soldiers fighting in Korengal Valley, Afghanistan. It is considered to be "the most dangerous place on earth" during the time of the film. These soldiers are under constant pressure, fighting daily battles. Throughout their deployment, some of the members of their group are injured or killed. When one of the soldiers, Doc Restrepo, is killed, the group is emotionally distraught. The story looks into the lives of the soldiers, and their battles in honor of their lost friend. I believe the theme is to show how having one another's backs in a time of crisis is the only way to survive. In this story, the theme is quite literal. Restrepo opens the audiences eyes to the brutal conditions of war, and displays how soldiers devote their lives to helping one another.
Restrepo is a documentary film that follow young men of the United States platoon that were deployed to the Korengal Valley in Afghanistan. The valley consumed the largest amount of gun fights in the war, with some days during the film having five in one day between the Taliban and the U.S. soldiers. We are able to see the struggle, the fight, the fear, the brotherhood and the pride in the eyes of each of the young men as they fight for their lives. The documentary gets its name, "Restrepo," because the camp they moved to and survived in was named Restrepo after one of their fallen brothers who was shot in the neck during a gun fight and bled out on the helicopter ride home. Throughout the film we are able to see this band of brothers fight for their lives and country, but also their character for trying to protect the innocent families that reside in the Korengal Valley and are being affected by the Taliban. I like how the filmmakers told us viewers the story of the young men and we were able to see the stress and trouble they went through for 15 months everyday.
Restrepo is a documentary that chronicles the 15-month deployment of the 2nd Platoon of Battle Company and the trials and tribulations that the American soldiers face. They are assigned to the Korengal Valley in Afghanistan, which is arguably one of the most deadliest places on earth. As an audience, we are dropped right into the thick of things, and soon Doctor Restrepo is killed in a firefight. The platoon goes on to build a new Outpost in the valley, and name it after the late doctor. From here, the film's main themes play out: the cost of war and the bonds of brotherhood that allow the soldiers to get through it. Battle Company is shot at daily, and they lose quite a few comrades along the way. Through the interspersed interviews, as well as being up close and personal with the soldiers, we can see the raw emotions that they felt and still feel about losing brothers. Not brothers by blood, but brothers all the same. This brotherhood is also shown in a much more positive light throughout the film. Amidst the death and despair that the Taliban causes, the American soldiers lean on each other to power through. Yes, they are affected both physically and emotionally by the war, but they also find time to learn guitar and dance to the song "Touch Me" together. They talk about their families and lives back home, which inspires hope that they will soon make it back to the United States, which they eventually do.
The story of the film is about a group of soldiers who are stationed in the Korengal Valley in Afghanistan throughout 15 months, centered on the impact that the death of Restrepo had on the group. The story starts from their journey by train with Restrepo to their OP, through their movements and fights in they Valley, to their eventual departure back home. The theme of Restrepo is the struggle to live regular, humane lives while stuck in the middle of constant gun fire and fights in the deadliest place to live on earth at the time. This struggle brings together a strong sense of camaraderie as these men only have each other in their attempts to remain connected to reality and humanity. Furthermore, the theme outlines the horrors and difficulties of war as humanity and war are juxtaposed constantly, from fire fights to working with the villagers. This theme relates to the story by using the character's reactions to Restrepo's death and then his continued presence through the naming of the new OP as a tie in to their own struggles with remaining human through camaraderie and their reflection on losing someone so close tho them, bringing the realities of war and death to the forefront.
Restrepo is a film that about the deployment of a company of U.S. soldiers to Afghanistan's Korengal Valley. The story was named after a medic who was killed during action. The cameras are there the whole time to catch everything on camera. This film was made to show Americans/audience what war can be like and make them feel like they were actually apart of it. This movie gives you a sense of what it's like to fight for your country and it makes you appreciate the soldiers in war a lot more. It's not as much of a scare as it is a wake-up call for all of us. A wake-up call for us to understand that war is real and that life is valuable. There are troops out there who are putting their hearts and lives on the line just to protect American and the people living there. I think the theme of this film is brotherhood and putting it all out on the line for America. During this film it shows sad and intense moments of the reality of war, and in doing so I found that they soldiers lean and rely on each other because they are all they have, so it's a sense of brotherhood (family). Of course we see that what they have to face every day is very serious and can only be done by those who are strong-minded and want to be there for America.
The Restrepo documentary was of the lives of U.S. soldiers on 2nd platoon of Battle Company that were deployed in the Korengal valley of Northeast Afghanistan in the Nuristan area. One of the soldiers was killed during their deployment and as well as the challenges the other soldiers had to go through after losing one of their own fellow soldiers. Some of the soldiers believe that they were not going to make it back home because of the war. First you can feel the soldiers showing the emotional feels about the war zone , pain , stress ,heart of not allowing themselves to give in, fear of losing someone next to you, I feel those best represent the themes of the documentary. It also showed brotherhood from the soldier’s trust that the man next to you is looking out for you in the war zone. It made me appreciate my life because some people put their life out there to protect their country with the thoughts that they might not be able to make it home.
17 comments:
Restrepo is about the lives of the U.S. soldiers that were deployed in Korengal Valley, the most dangerous place to be stationed in Afghanistan. The documentary tells the story of the 15-month reality of the men living in Restrepo, an outpost they named after one of the soldiers killed during their stay. I believe there are two themes in this documentary: the truth of the war in Afghanistan and brotherhood. The directors, Tim Hetherington and Sebastian Junger, took part on this dangerous journey because they wanted viewers to experience what the soldiers in Afghanistan experience. They did just that. Because it was direct cinema, Hetherington and Junger never interfered, but only captured the truth. Another theme is brotherhood because the film also demonstrates how close the soldiers are to each other and how much of a struggle it is for the soldiers when their friends are killed in the war. The soldiers only have each other out there in the dangerous, foreign country, and this documentary highlights that. I believe the two themes of Restrepo completely correlate to the story. The story of the film tells viewers what the soldiers go through during their time period, and the main theme is to demonstrate to readers the truth about their lives. The theme is the story. The theme of brotherhood is an addition to what happens at war and what the soldiers experience.
Restrepo follows several soldiers who are tasked with fighting the Taliban in one of the most remote and dangerous parts of Afghanistan. There are many things that both nature and the "bad guys" throw at them. The theme is best characterized as order, or good, versus chaos, vaguely "evil." It is not clearly good versus evil, as we never really see the "enemy." Throughout the film, we see that the soldiers struggle against mountains and weather as they try to set up O.P. Restrepo and build a road for safe passage and commerce all while being fired upon by the Taliban.
Simply put, Restrepo is about a group of U.S. soldiers trying to fight the Taliban in Korengal Valley while also (obviously) trying to stay alive. But I think the underlying story is about this group of U.S. soldiers who are just trying to do their jobs while maintaining some sense of humanity in a situation that doesn't necessarily allow for it. In this same way, I think the theme is probably humanity and how it's almost paradoxical in war. Tim Hetherington and Sebastian Junger capture this theme in their cinematic approach which is both direct cinema and cinema verite in the sense that the audience is exposed not only to the humanity of the soldiers, but also to the humanity of the locals in Korengal Valley. For example, there are moments that seem completely contradictory like when one of the soldiers was setting up his sniper rifle while also talking to his friend about his family ranch, or when another talked about how he'll always be haunted by seeing his friend's dead body but also wishes that he could have gotten closer to his enemies so that he could've seen them when he killed them. There are also some moments where you see how great the struggle is when the filmmakers capture the humanity of the locals in the Valley who are greatly impacted by the U.S. presence. For example, when the soldiers had to meet with the locals to try and resolve the issue of the killed cow-- I felt bad for the man who lost his cow because that was his livelihood, which he couldn't get back or be reimbursed for. Another instance was when the soldiers went through a village they just bombed, and the filmmakers capture a shot of injured children and women who look absolutely terrified. So here, the audience is conflicted because we know that the U.S. soldiers are doing their job and protecting us as American citizens, but also there is a sense of guilt because they are intruding on innocent people's lives. I even think there are moments in this film where you can see the soldiers distancing themselves emotionally from a situation because they don't know how to process it. That being said, I think this film is a story about soldiers who try and maintain some sense of normalcy in a situation that is anything but, and who are in conflict with trying to understand the humanity of others while also trying to hold onto their own.
Restrepo tells the story of a group of US soldiers that were deployed for 15 months to fight the Taliban, which was considered one of the most dangerous postings in the US military. The film gives the audience an insiders perspective to the men and women who defend our country, making us as the viewer realize their harsh reality and better understand why these men and women don't want to discuss what happens during their deployment. The film shows these soldiers trying to keep their sanity and some level of normalcy to their lives while trying to stay alive and protect American citizens overall. This is results in many very contradictory and almost unsettling scenes where the soldiers are shown having normal day to day conversations like one soldier talking about his family ranch while doing non-day to day activities like setting up a sniper riffle. The film also captures an amazing aspect of humanity, showing how we are all one and the same deep down, which stirs this feeling of guilt since the soldiers are in a way intruding on people's lives. Humanity is shown amongst the soldiers to show the bond that develops between them as they are basically abandoned in this valley. The scene where the soldiers all pile on top of each other during the song "Touch Me" just shows how much they need that physical intimacy and connection and brotherhood to survive and have the energy to keep going. The film also captures the humanity of the people living in the valley, showing shots of injured children and villagers after a bombing, which is very contradictory and causes the viewer to see the situation from a different perspective.
Restrepo is a group of soldiers narrating their story of the months they spent in Afghanistan trying to find and destroy the Taliban. They are challenged with the remoteness of their location, their miscommunication with the local people, and the constant fear of being killed and never seeing their families again.
Theme: in the midst of the constant mayhem the soldiers develop a brotherly love and devotion to each other.
A moment of human connection is seen when Restrepo plays the guitar and sings about missing home the island of Hawaii while his fellow soldiers listen quietly and imagine their homes.
We see how hard it is for the men to be in such an aggressive and dangerous environment yet despite the odds they learn to be strong, adapt and move on. There is a scene where two soldiers are talking to each other on the walkies about their families. This heart-warming conversation all happens as one of them is setting up a machine gun and it ends with them talking about how they kill their enemy and say “ We will take their hearts and take their minds”
A scene that really embodies brotherhood is when the boys gather around the cook and tell the cameraman how he is the best cook ever and then give him a big group hug. Cook says “C’mon man, we on tv man.” They all laugh and one says “Don’t fight it.”
I feel this theme is successful not only because it shows what it is like to be in combat but it connects us to the loss of a fellow friend. Seeing the reaction at the time of the loss with tears and confusion and seeing it later on when the soldiers are back home and their struggles remembering that horrible moment. The most powerful moments are the silent ones; when the soldiers look into the camera trying to gather their feelings but we see right into their soul.
Restrepo is a documentary film about a platoon of US soldiers who are stationed in the Korengal Valley in the heart of Afghanistan spanning more than a calendar year. This valley during the time was considered by many to be one of, if not the most dangerous place(s) in the world. The U.S. sent these troops in to protect the civilians living in the valley from a Taliban group that was taking control of the area. Obviously this movie is shown from the point of the view from the American soldiers. What makes this film stand out is the fact that it is a direct cinema film, which means that there were no scripts, no actors, no sets, and no takes for this film. What was shown in the film was exactly what happened in real life, which makes this movie even more unbelievable for people who have never experienced war up close like this. I believe this to be one of the main reasons the filmmakers created this film, and in that sense this theme of brutal honestly is one of the central themes to the documentary. There have been many films about war, and many films depicting what actually occurs during the middle of a battle. This film is unique though, not only because of the raw footage we see that provides insight into the terrible environments that these soldiers occupied for 15 months, we also get to see the reflections of these same soldiers months after the fact. The personal interviews of the surviving soldiers is really where this documentary stands out. These soldiers bravely recount the events of those 15 months, and they aren't afraid to show their true emotions and feelings for the events. Many of them open up about the struggles they continue to have with these incidents today. That is where this film really hit home with me. I have seen my fair share of war films, but there isn't one that I can recall watching that has these deep reflections after the fact. It is hard to watch at times but is necessary to get the central theme of brutal honesty across to the viewers.
Restrepo follows the 15 month assignment of the second platoon in the Korengal Valley in Afghanistan. This valley saw some of the most intense fighting in the war in Afghanistan ("70% of the bombs that were dropped at that time were dropped in the Korengal Valley." -Captain Dan Kearney), so these soldiers were subjected to chronic fire fights and constant threats of ambush. The story is about how this group of soldiers persevered through loss, violence, and tension to survive and fight. A prominent theme throughout is the resilience of the human spirit to find meaning and life in the darkest of times and places. The filmmakers included numerous scenes of the soldiers finding happiness in each other- whether it be in a spontaneous dance party, a good-natured wrestling match, or a relaxing game of chess. Even when happiness could not be found, the brothers persisted through firefight after firefight to continue living for each other. The company also found meaning in their accomplishments for their country- namely building the Restrepo Post. This desire for meaning in what they do is found throughout the film.
At the same time, I couldn't help but feel a sense of futility- that these soldiers were trying to find meaning while fighting an meaningless war. This theme can be seen subtly throughout the film. The Americans destroy the enemy encampment, only to find that they killed 5 innocents as well. During the "Shura" with the village elders, the talks do not make progress. Even in the empty faces of the interviewees as they recall the events, the viewer gets a sense of the trauma and pain that they will carry forever. This sense of the futility of war weaves itself quietly into the story.
'Restrepo' follows a military unit based in the Korangal Valley, Afghanistan, one of the most notoriously active zones of the war in Afghanistan. The platoon's role is to secure and bolster a road so that locals can move freely throughout the area without fear of the taliban. The film alternates between interviews with the surviving soldiers and footage of their time in Afghanistan. Restrepo takes us into the lives of the soldiers off and on the active battle field, juxtaposing scenes of camaraderie and high-jinks with scenes of tension filled battle. They are like anyone else-they make fun of one another, they play instruments, they have impromptu dance parties. The men of the unit are revealed to be fun-loving and full of life and immensely connected to one another, which is what makes it so painful to see "Doc" Restrepo killed on the battlefield. The unit moves on, building Restrepo Post in his honor after securing a major point of land from the Taliban, which many interviewees describe as their proudest moment. The film shows more of the many ugly sides of war, depicting the frustration on both sides as civilians and soldiers alike struggle to communicate in meetings and progress seems impossible. We see a successful mission result in civilian injury and loss of life, a reminder of the innocent victims of war.
The theme of this film is humanity, as the juxtaposition of interviews and raw field footage serves well as a reminder that war places ordinary people in an extraordinarily dehumanizing situation. We see dead and injured civilian children as well as soldiers. As the unit draws near the end of their deployment, the last mission we see them complete is named "Rock Avalanche." We see the emotional toll the loss of Sgt. Rougle leave one soldier devastated during battle. The interviews grow emotional as well, as members of the unit describe the pain, the fear, and the toll the events we've seen have taken on them. Because it is a direct cinema film, and there was no interference on the part of the filmmakers we pure humanity and the effects war has on it quite clearly.
Restrepo is a documentary following a United Stated platoon deployed in the Korengal Valley in Afghanistan. This valley was deemed the most dangerous point in the world at the time and saw some of the most gunfire/bombings during the war. The men in the film were stationed in the valley for just over a year. The goal of the US involvement was to assist the civilian population with societal development. A main road spanning across the valley being one of the main objectives. However, this proved more difficult than Captain Kearney. The civilians were sometimes hard to work with and were constantly watched for sings of terrorist activity/involvement. Along the journey to gain control of the valley, men were lost. One of these men being Juan Restrepo. It was a hard loss for all the men, especially the men that were being interviewed. Half way through the film the platoon make a huge strategical advanement and secured the creation of an outpost that changed the dynamic of the valley forever. This outpost was then named Restrepo, and is still called that today. Although the US was still involved to help and protect the native civilians, the film started to embody much more. The film didn't only show the day to day brutality of the war and the constant fighting, but it showed the heart of the platoon. It showed their will to not back down when times got hard, and to persevere through it and to get the job done. The filmmakers did a great job with this film. This film made me really appreciate my life more and helped me to better understand what men of the Second Platoon, Battle Company, 173rd Airborne Brigade had to face physically and emotionally.
Restrepo is a documentary following a United Stated platoon deployed in the Korengal Valley in Afghanistan. This valley was deemed the most dangerous point in the world at the time and saw some of the most gunfire/bombings during the war. The men in the film were stationed in the valley for just over a year. The goal of the US involvement was to assist the civilian population with societal development. A main road spanning across the valley being one of the main objectives. However, this proved more difficult than Captain Kearney. The civilians were sometimes hard to work with and were constantly watched for sings of terrorist activity/involvement. Along the journey to gain control of the valley, men were lost. One of these men being Juan Restrepo. It was a hard loss for all the men, especially the men that were being interviewed. Half way through the film the platoon make a huge strategical advanement and secured the creation of an outpost that changed the dynamic of the valley forever. This outpost was then named Restrepo, and is still called that today. Although the US was still involved to help and protect the native civilians, the film started to embody much more. The film didn't only show the day to day brutality of the war and the constant fighting, but it showed the heart of the platoon. It showed their will to not back down when times got hard, and to persevere through it and to get the job done. The filmmakers did a great job with this film. This film made me really appreciate my life more and helped me to better understand what men of the Second Platoon, Battle Company, 173rd Airborne Brigade had to face physically and emotionally.
Restrepo is a documentary that follows a U.S. platoon for the duration of their deployment in Afghanistan. The story of the film is about the soldiers in the platoon and how they deal with the difficult task of infiltrating one of the most dangerous areas in the war, known as the Korengal Valley. The film throws us straight into the action without very little backstory to begin the film. The soldiers are under constant attack from the Taliban and the film shows the soldiers in many firefights and bombings. The film becomes more about the story of the soldiers than the actual military objectives they had. Their objective was to try and clear the area of the Taliban while also establishing good relations and job/structural opportunities for the locals. However, the story is about how in trying to fulfill those objectives, the soldiers try to keep their physical safety and mental sanity in the midst of so much chaos. One of the central themes of this film is brotherhood. It seems that the only thing that keeps these soldiers going is the bond they have with one another. They name the outpost they construct after a fallen soldier in their group, Restrepo, and they are constantly paying homage to those who were killed in action. The film shows just how devastating it is when someone is killed, as can be seen when one of the soldiers breaks down after seeing that one of his friends was killed. There is that sense of the soldiers knowing that they are in an extremely difficult situation, but at least they are there together having each other's backs. The film also gives the audience a raw , inside look into the lives of these soldiers. There are times we want to cry, such as when one of the soldiers dies, and times when we laugh, such as when they figure out the music and start dancing. This documentary is a first-hand look into the difficult job of fighting such a dangerous war and dealing with the consequences of having done so.
Restrepo is a documentary about a group of US soldiers fighting in Korengal Valley, Afghanistan. It is considered to be "the most dangerous place on earth" during the time of the film. These soldiers are under constant pressure, fighting daily battles. Throughout their deployment, some of the members of their group are injured or killed. When one of the soldiers, Doc Restrepo, is killed, the group is emotionally distraught. The story looks into the lives of the soldiers, and their battles in honor of their lost friend. I believe the theme is to show how having one another's backs in a time of crisis is the only way to survive. In this story, the theme is quite literal. Restrepo opens the audiences eyes to the brutal conditions of war, and displays how soldiers devote their lives to helping one another.
Restrepo is a documentary film that follow young men of the United States platoon that were deployed to the Korengal Valley in Afghanistan. The valley consumed the largest amount of gun fights in the war, with some days during the film having five in one day between the Taliban and the U.S. soldiers. We are able to see the struggle, the fight, the fear, the brotherhood and the pride in the eyes of each of the young men as they fight for their lives. The documentary gets its name, "Restrepo," because the camp they moved to and survived in was named Restrepo after one of their fallen brothers who was shot in the neck during a gun fight and bled out on the helicopter ride home. Throughout the film we are able to see this band of brothers fight for their lives and country, but also their character for trying to protect the innocent families that reside in the Korengal Valley and are being affected by the Taliban. I like how the filmmakers told us viewers the story of the young men and we were able to see the stress and trouble they went through for 15 months everyday.
Restrepo is a documentary that chronicles the 15-month deployment of the 2nd Platoon of Battle Company and the trials and tribulations that the American soldiers face. They are assigned to the Korengal Valley in Afghanistan, which is arguably one of the most deadliest places on earth. As an audience, we are dropped right into the thick of things, and soon Doctor Restrepo is killed in a firefight. The platoon goes on to build a new Outpost in the valley, and name it after the late doctor. From here, the film's main themes play out: the cost of war and the bonds of brotherhood that allow the soldiers to get through it. Battle Company is shot at daily, and they lose quite a few comrades along the way. Through the interspersed interviews, as well as being up close and personal with the soldiers, we can see the raw emotions that they felt and still feel about losing brothers. Not brothers by blood, but brothers all the same. This brotherhood is also shown in a much more positive light throughout the film. Amidst the death and despair that the Taliban causes, the American soldiers lean on each other to power through. Yes, they are affected both physically and emotionally by the war, but they also find time to learn guitar and dance to the song "Touch Me" together. They talk about their families and lives back home, which inspires hope that they will soon make it back to the United States, which they eventually do.
The story of the film is about a group of soldiers who are stationed in the Korengal Valley in Afghanistan throughout 15 months, centered on the impact that the death of Restrepo had on the group. The story starts from their journey by train with Restrepo to their OP, through their movements and fights in they Valley, to their eventual departure back home. The theme of Restrepo is the struggle to live regular, humane lives while stuck in the middle of constant gun fire and fights in the deadliest place to live on earth at the time. This struggle brings together a strong sense of camaraderie as these men only have each other in their attempts to remain connected to reality and humanity. Furthermore, the theme outlines the horrors and difficulties of war as humanity and war are juxtaposed constantly, from fire fights to working with the villagers. This theme relates to the story by using the character's reactions to Restrepo's death and then his continued presence through the naming of the new OP as a tie in to their own struggles with remaining human through camaraderie and their reflection on losing someone so close tho them, bringing the realities of war and death to the forefront.
Restrepo is a film that about the deployment of a company of U.S. soldiers to Afghanistan's Korengal Valley. The story was named after a medic who was killed during action. The cameras are there the whole time to catch everything on camera. This film was made to show Americans/audience what war can be like and make them feel like they were actually apart of it. This movie gives you a sense of what it's like to fight for your country and it makes you appreciate the soldiers in war a lot more. It's not as much of a scare as it is a wake-up call for all of us. A wake-up call for us to understand that war is real and that life is valuable. There are troops out there who are putting their hearts and lives on the line just to protect American and the people living there. I think the theme of this film is brotherhood and putting it all out on the line for America. During this film it shows sad and intense moments of the reality of war, and in doing so I found that they soldiers lean and rely on each other because they are all they have, so it's a sense of brotherhood (family). Of course we see that what they have to face every day is very serious and can only be done by those who are strong-minded and want to be there for America.
The Restrepo documentary was of the lives of U.S. soldiers on 2nd platoon of Battle Company that were deployed in the Korengal valley of Northeast Afghanistan in the Nuristan area. One of the soldiers was killed during their deployment and as well as the challenges the other soldiers had to go through after losing one of their own fellow soldiers. Some of the soldiers believe that they were not going to make it back home because of the war. First you can feel the soldiers showing the emotional feels about the war zone , pain , stress ,heart of not allowing themselves to give in, fear of losing someone next to you, I feel those best represent the themes of the documentary. It also showed brotherhood from the soldier’s trust that the man next to you is looking out for you in the war zone. It made me appreciate my life because some people put their life out there to protect their country with the thoughts that they might not be able to make it home.
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