Hell and Back Again

There have been a number of films made about men in combat and/or men returning home from conflict. Any documentary feature about our involvement in recent military events may have the tendency to turn the primary topic to political debate. That's fine as subject matter, but sometimes a more simplistic and candid approach can speak volumes louder than any pointed analysis or commentary. Danfung Dennis' intimate chronicle of one Marine unit's presence in Afghanistan places the focus exactly where it should be--on the soldiers. This is about as realistic a glimpse as you're likely to get at the realities of day to day existence in modern warfare. Photojournalist Danfung was embedded with Echo Company in a 2009 assault on Taliban forces in southern Afghanistan. As such, he was privy to film the everyday struggles pursuing the enemy faction while interacting with the locals. As you might expect, he documents a number of firefights, injuries and even casualties. But he also films many interaction with town elders about how to navigate a peaceful and respectful coexistence. Danfung's presence is never intrusive and his viewpoint really makes you understand the social climate the soldiers dealt with.

But far more than just an in-country document, Danfung crosscuts and juxtaposes the Afghanistan footage with the personal story of Sergeant Nathan Harris as he readjusts to home life after returning from Echo Company with a rather traumatic injury. For the most part, Harris is the voice of the piece. Danfung doesn't conduct typical interviews, the men in Afghanistan aren't explored in depth, and what we're left with is Harris. He represents the every man persona, or every soldier in this case. He is the consummate soldier, seeing nothing outside of being able to return to his duties. But seeing him work toward recuperation and deal with the aftermath of being in battle is a sometimes harrowing, sometimes uncomfortable portrait. Harris is both a noble figure and one permanently affected by his experiences and injuries. This psychological examination is all the more potent in that it has no particular agenda. It just puts a camera in front of Harris, and the film lets Harris speak for himself.

I really admired this piece and its extremely personal focus. There is no moralizing or political grandstanding or posturing. This is about every day life for soldiers at war and at home. Different viewers will likely take different things out of the movie. But it successfully conveys a reality and intimacy that distinguish it from the pack. It's a quiet film, a subtle one really, but in this apprach--it really gets under your skin in an affecting way. Not only is it a fantastic picture of the modern soldier, it is also terrific filmmaking. And that should also be noted and appreciated. I know this Sundance Award winner is on the shortlist for Oscar consideration as Best Documentary feature--I certainly hope it makes the cut. KGHarris, 12/11.

I never leave reviews on anything, But this time I had too. To Hell and Back Again gives you an inside look of what it is Like at War in Combat and the Hardships of Coming Home. I served as a Grunt in the Iraq War and am 27 Years Old. Watching this Documentary was like Watching myself, All Over Again. PTSD and Substance abuse is a Serious Matter and this Video Shows how Real It Is.

I saw this movie when it played at the Cincinnati Film Festival some 2-3 months ago and to say that this movie is haunting and stays with you long after the lights have come back on, is an understatement of the first order.

"Hell and Back Again" (88 min.) brngs a complicated and stark look at the life of 25 yr. old Sargent Nathan Harris. The movie shifts back and forth between footage that embedded director Danfung Dennis shot while Harris was in Afghanistan, and then back to Harris' life after the war in his home town in North Carolina. I am not spoiling much of the "plot" when I say that Harris suffers a serious (ok, devastating) injury during his time in Afghanistan. This movie is intimate yet tough as nails at the same time. Apart from the emotional effect one goes through from watching this footage, one of the other things that really struck me while watching some of the scenes in Afghanistan is the utter absurdity of it all. When trying to explain for the umpteenth time something to the farmers and villagers in Afghanistan, the exasperated response more often than not from them was "You're all the same! Please leave us alone! I wish the Taliban would also leave us alone! Why can't we simply live our lives?"

In all, this is quite the movie. Certainly one of the better documentaries I saw last year, and also one of the better Afghan/Iraqi war-related documentaries out there. Beware: this ain't a "happy" movie, and there is no "happy ending". Highly recommended!

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