| "Occupation Dreamland": An Important New Film by David Zeiger "Anyone
waging war with American troops might want to listen carefully to the
largely untold story of David Zeiger's new documentary, 'Sir! No Sir!'
of how some of the most dedicated troops became some of the most damaging
supporters of the movement to end the war in Vietnam."
"Occupation Dreamland" is screening as part of the International Documentary Association's DocuWeek August 19-25 (see details below). It is opening in theaters in September, starting in Fatetteville, North Carolina, home of Fort Bragg. The film is struggling to get out of the shadow of the nihilistic, high-profile "Gunner Palace," which was presented by the media as the ultimate portrayal of GIs in Iraq. I have to admit, after seeing that film, which I felt both wallowed in and glorified the "hopelessness" of the Iraq war, I wasn't anxious to watch another film about American GIs in Iraq. But this film is another story altogether. By going deeply into the conflicts and views of the American GIs and the Iraqis who openly challenge them and the occupation, it is both far more critical of the American war and far more hopeful in its portrayal of the people on both sides who could, when they recognize their common interest, bring it crashing down. |
To
make the film, directors Garrett Scott and Ian Olds spent several months
with an army unit stationed in Faluja during the period leading up to
the American assault on and devastation of that city. By watching closely
as the soldiers both agonize over their "mission" and engage
in the daily confrontations with the people of Iraq, the film quietly
paints a powerful, very human and ultimately damning portrait of the
invasion and occupation of that country. It's really quite an experience
to watch this thoughtful film.