The War You Don't See, 2010
Hey all I am back with an all new film review. How exciting is that. Of late I have been watching a couple good docos and today I'm reviewing a compelling documentary about the role of journalism and the media on the recent wars. Presented by John Pilger a veteran Australian journalists as he questions and explores the role of journalism in the world today.
I have to say this was an amazing documentary it’s insightful, engaging and thoroughly entertaining. For once someone in the media is standing up and critical of itself and really questioning whether journalism is really about telling the truth or telling the truth that suits the right people.
I consider myself a bit of left wing activist whom is generally against wars especially unjust wars that occur in the world today. So Pilger’s exposé on the horrors of modern warfare that the public never know due to the restrictions that are placed on journalists but also media stations really serving a particular organization or group makes you question and be critical about is really fed to us on the TV or newspaper. The level of journalistic integrity that maybe was once had in Pilger’s days is now well and truly gone. For it was concerning to see how people can support war in general. As if killing of another human being is somewhat just because they are different to you. For me this movie really solidified the fact that the public know so little about what is truly going on in the world and furthermore to prosecute those who are welling to show the world and expose the truths. And yet we support governments and soldiers who care little about human life and impact of war on the people that will last for years. And the people who we trust to govern us actually keep us in the dark.
For me the fact that shocked me and that would last forever was this in WW1 the civilian causalities accounted for only 10% of deaths due to war, this increased to 70% in Vietnam and this increased to 90% in Iraq. This means women, children, the elderly and men. How can there not be an outcry? How are we not protesting on the streets from the deaths of innocent people? Are we really doing more good than evil? Yes granted Pilger did not specify whether this was the hands of insurgents or Americans/Allied soldiers but regardless our governments are part of it. And we should stand up and do something about it. It’s like we don’t care or we are not told the truth, the whole truth. The journalists who are suppose to bring us the truth is only showing half it. As Pilger found that reporting civilian death in Iraq is under reported or not even reported. We the audience does not pay attention or become desensitized. But that probably due to the fact we never see the faces, the names of the victims of war.
I like mentioned in this above this was a fantastic movie that definitely worth a watch, this is how documentaries should be like. Although it’s very traditional mostly based on interviews and some footage and not really the way like my doco’s but regardless amazing.
I gave this a 9/10.
If you want to watch it you can watch it online on the John Pilger's website Pilger's Website
Note: This is not available in Australia which sucks balls but that being said it was aired on SBS last Tuesday, may be you can get off there. But you can buy it on DVD.
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