Waltz with Bashir
Ari Folman's Waltz with Bashir is one of the most unique films you will ever see. And it certainly is one of the very best films of 2008.
It is a documentary focusing on Isreali soldiers who served in the war on Lebanon in 1982. Folman himself was in that war. At the beginning of the film he is talking to friend who tells him of a dream he has been having for 20 years. The dream is very disturbing but it never stops. And it has to do with the fact that he was involved in the 1982 war. Folman cannot remember anything about his participation in that war. So he goes on a search of others who were in that war. He also speaks to therapists about his trauma and loss of memory. The story is very compelling and the way Folman pieces together everything is amazing. The film is animated - which adds to its greatness. And there is a fabulous soundtrack. Folman knows how to make make sight and sound mesh.
Just a bit of history. The Christian Phalangists in Lebanon were headed by Bashir Gemayel. After he was assasinated the Phalangists went into the Palestinian refuge camps of Sabra & Shatila and massacred many, many people. The Israeli army knew about this but did nothing. So, they are to blame as well. Folman is not afraid to be critical of them.
I don't want to say much more about the film. I had a hard time getting up after seeing it. But I think that it is a must see. Waltz with Bashir has already won numerous awards and I hope that on February 22 the Academy does the right thing and gives it the Oscar for Best Foreign Film.
This is a film about how war affects soldiers. And it is ultimately a film that is anti-war.
It is a documentary focusing on Isreali soldiers who served in the war on Lebanon in 1982. Folman himself was in that war. At the beginning of the film he is talking to friend who tells him of a dream he has been having for 20 years. The dream is very disturbing but it never stops. And it has to do with the fact that he was involved in the 1982 war. Folman cannot remember anything about his participation in that war. So he goes on a search of others who were in that war. He also speaks to therapists about his trauma and loss of memory. The story is very compelling and the way Folman pieces together everything is amazing. The film is animated - which adds to its greatness. And there is a fabulous soundtrack. Folman knows how to make make sight and sound mesh.
Just a bit of history. The Christian Phalangists in Lebanon were headed by Bashir Gemayel. After he was assasinated the Phalangists went into the Palestinian refuge camps of Sabra & Shatila and massacred many, many people. The Israeli army knew about this but did nothing. So, they are to blame as well. Folman is not afraid to be critical of them.
I don't want to say much more about the film. I had a hard time getting up after seeing it. But I think that it is a must see. Waltz with Bashir has already won numerous awards and I hope that on February 22 the Academy does the right thing and gives it the Oscar for Best Foreign Film.
This is a film about how war affects soldiers. And it is ultimately a film that is anti-war.
posted by Film Fanatic | 3:39 PM
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