Restrepo: A Sobering and Sad Documentary Film

FCCT. Bangkok, Thailand. May 31, 2011. If you have any doubts about what constitutes a tragedy, you can clear things up for yourself by watching the full-length documentary “Restrepo.” Regardless of your political beliefs about the war in Afghanistan, the cameras of directors Tim Hetherington, who was recently killed while on assignment in Libya, and Sebastian Junger, who gained fame as the author of “The Perfect Storm,” take you to a deployment of a small platoon of America soldiers in a remote outpost in the Korengal Valley, considered the most dangerous place in Afghanistan. Filmed in 2007, the cameras never leave the valley; there are no interviews with generals or diplomats, and no plot. This is war only through the eyes of the soldiers who are fighting it; no interviews with families, Afghans, or others.

The conditions in which the soldiers live and fight are not imaginable. “Restrepo” succeeds in picturing their reality as only a camera in the hands of talented directors can do. The film has won several awards and was nominated for the 2011 Academy Award for Best Documentary. It deserves a wide viewing audience.

My random thoughts following “Restrepo’s” screening at the FCCT on May 31, 2011: 1. The American soldiers in the film are splendid human beings and their lives give meaning to such feelings as “support our troops.” They make me proud to be an American. I want them not only to survive, but to take part in the lives of our communities. 2. Afghans were not engaged in any fighting or visible support of our efforts. They were present only as hapless villagers or the Taliban enemy. 3. It was difficult to see what our military strategy was. As we all know, whatever the strategy existent in 2007, it was changed by General Prateus. 4. 50 Americans died in the Korengal Valley. After the time period shown in the film, all American troops and outposts were withdrawn. I don’t think that anyone claims that our efforts there were a success on any level. 5. Only the most jaded of viewers could fail to see what a tragedy this is, not only for those who died, but the impact on the survivors as well.