Hi, everyone. "Moriarty" here with some Rumblings From The Lab...
I love that even the people who have their own films at Sundance take the time to go see other films and then write to us about that. That’s somebody who just plain loves the movies, folks. Check it out:
Harry,
I have a short playing at the festival and I've had the chance to see a number of films, but the one I'd like to tell you a little about is "Why We Fight."
Director Eugene Jarecki bit off a lot with this documentary. For many filmmakers, it'd be more than they could chew. But, Jarecki handles his subject with skill and confidence. What are the some of the motivations that have sent America to war since WWII? This film goes beyond the political rhetorical and takes you to places that aren't really expected, and it doesn't give you a simple or easy answer.
Unlike Fareinheitt 9/11, which some dismiss as a piece of propoganda and a diatribe against the current administration, "Why We Fight" is more of a insightful analysis of how the "military industrial complex" has managed to make our elected representatives supplicate themselves to its will. The doc doesn't focus entirely on the current Iraq war, but instead chronicles Eisenhower's farewell address to the American people -- which was more of a warning, than a farewell. Eisenhower was deeply concerned that outside military contractors were weilding an increasing amount of political clout. Eisenhower's words are almost prophetic. The film does an excellent job of dileneating in undeniable detail some of the motivations that have drawn America into war -- motivations you don't hear about on any of the cable or network news stations. For me, as a young American, it was extremely enlightening, and it really does a good job of "connecting the dots" ...
The film is excellent. One of the best documentaries I've seen in the last 5 years. It's challenging and provocative. I feel it does a really good job of being non-biased and non-manipulative. Of course, every administration has been guilty to some degree of supplicating themselves to the "industrial military complex" ... and Bush falls in this category too. So, I'm sure there will be some out there who feel this is just bashing this administration. But, for those who are willing to look between the lines, and study it a little closer, they'll find it's a film that's more about the current state of American society than a piece of propoganda.
Call me Pizza Delivery Man #33.
Thanks, man. Good luck with your own film, too!
"Moriarty" out.
