WFF: ‘Full Battle Rattle’
Documentary gold? Judging from the trailer and the description, it seems this documentary has the potential to be pretty amazing.
Full Battle Rattle
documentary
(USA, 2008, 85 mins)
In English, Arabic with English subtitles
digital video
Wisconsin Premiere
Directed By: Tony Gerber, Jesse Moss
Plagued by political assassinations and an organized insurgency, the U.S. Army’s occupation of tiny Iraqi village Medina Wasl is a borderline disaster. Fortunately, these soldiers will get a second chance at bringing the peace: Median Wasl is part of a military training compound located deep in the U.S.’ Mojave Desert. Designed to give cadets an immersive preview of the war experience, the base is a functional model of an Iraqi town, and employs refugee Iraqis to portray its citizens with Method-like dedication. Like a massive role-playing game, it’s all heavily orchestrated, with elaborate backstories and shocking plot twists, but the specter of deployment looms large. At once a frontline combat doc and behind-the-scenes glimpse at one of the oddest theatrical productions going, Full Battle Rattle portrays a “big expensive Laser Tag game” with impossibly high stakes. “An indelible vision of modern war…freaky, amusing and sickening in equal measures.” — David Edelstein, New York. Special Jury Award, 2008 SXSW Film Festival.
[Find more press reviews at the Film’s Web site]
