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War Feels Like War

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by Philip Moore
Four years on and the conflict in Iraq continues. Whatever the supposed reasons, the invasion of Iraq feels like a very bad sequel to the Gulf War.

War Feels Like War, made in 2003, is finally released on DVD and its arrival marks the 4 year anniversary of the current invasion. Going behind the headlines and turning the camera on those who wield it, Esteban Uyarra’s film seems to corroborate the idea that journalists often write the first draft of history.

The film follows the journey of a handful of independent journalists who break from the sanctuary of their Kuwait press pen to cover the conflict as the US troops enter Iraq.

Uyarra’s film gives a sense of what motivates and what inspires reporters to enter the conflict zone. As most of the journalists seem to testify, truth is often the first victim of war. One scene at the US army postal depot shows a troop addressing a crowd of news hungry reporters, offering them a chance to get a ‘really good story’ about the army’s postal system. As one reporter says rather disgruntled: “Amazing! They’re bombing Baghdad and we’re looking at parcels.”
Throughout the film Uyarra engages the journalists to reflect on what they do and why. As one Norwegian reporter coolly comments: “From a journalistic point of view it makes very good pictures. We are cynical. We have to admit it.” But that’s not the whole story. The journey of Chicago Tribune photographer Stephanie is perhaps the most interesting; being new to conflict, she changes the most as the film (and conflict) progresses. Her straight to camera interviews relay conflicting and confused thoughts. Her experience, however, leaves a deep impression and informs her work.

Uyarra’s camera (independent of any news agenda) bears witness to the front-line of a war in which cameramen take position side by side with soldiers, as they ‘shoot’ the action. Although at times feeling a little disjointed and bitty, his scope of content is impressive as he films the frustrations and fears of his fellow reporters.

A fascinating portrait of the rush to report conflict, Uyarra’s unique film vividly (and boldly) tells the story of un-embedded reportage. Shooting from the front line, this candid film is a reminder of the importance and necessity of reporters to inform us about the world we live in.

Dir. Esteban Uyarra, UK 2003,  59 mins

Released on DVD 20th March 2007. Available from In Focus Productions for £14.99 + P&P.
DFG Members can buy it for just £9.99 + P&P. Login to the Community to find out how!

www.infocusproductions.co.uk

See also:

War Feels Like War in the DFGdocs/Directory

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