Only the Dead

Real life violence is more disturbing than movie violence, that's a fact, as this brave Aussie individual filmmaker/journalist, Ware, takes us, may'be, too close, sometimes, to the ongoing way in Iraq, while this was early times, for that number one, infamous and hunted terrorist. Here, they're after a smaller important party, with a price on his head. This is a stark and grim ride amidst bombs, be headings and some truly scary, and dangerously serious moments, one involving the welfare of our filmmaker, who's made something short of a masterpiece, and a beautifully written V.O doc too by Ware. The film has a nasty air to it, and that's how it should be seen. He's one of the bravest and ballsy filmmakers, I've seen, this side of war. At the end of it, my Dad commented, jokingly or not, "I hope he didn't go back". No joke, that very realization had me in a pith of worry and concern. Probably the best, up close and personal view of this endless nightmarish war you'll ever see. Be warned, some of the violent images, are stark and shocking, and will be heavy on some viewers, one in the second to the final frame of the still breathing enemy, you thought initially was a goner. There are a few stereotypical moments, that has us feeling we're just watching another in the field doco on this war, but I'm no saying that as a criticism. A non issue. For the most part, it's a frank and unsettling journey into the blackest realities of the war, the meaty part of the footage of Ware's trepidation and dangerous exploits, really starting mid way.

I Have just returned from seeing this little gem.

This is the most confronting doco I have ever seen. However, every person in what we like to call 'The West' needs to see this film. Every politician who sends our youth to war, every person who denies entry to asylum seekers from war-torn Iraq (and its neighbours), and every person who has an opinion about our 'invasion' of Iraq.

We all know Michael Ware, that crazy Australian CNN reporter who was in the thick of it. I think Michael will excuse my use of 'crazy' because without these men and women who act as correspondents in war, we would never have perspectives not filtered by our governments.

Ware returned from 7 years in Iraq with over 300 hours of tapes from a handicam that he described tonight in person at the screening as his notebook for his writing. This is his 'accidental documentary'.

In this doco we see the fresh-faced Ware in Iraq just before the 2003 invasion. We see him as he becomes the favoured news outlet for the emerging group that would become Islamic State. We see him question himself, how dark the human mind can become and how desensitisation goes hand-in-hand with warfare. We see the fresh- faced young Americans who have been thrust into this warzone as little more that teenagers (and some still are). We see the tragedy for the people of Iraq. Then we see the conclusion that tests our humanity and how we see others. It will shake you.

Take a deep breath, buy a ticket and prepare to never be the same (but I think for the better).

Thanks Michael :)

Let's keep this simple, if you're squeamish don't watch this. If you're judgemental of people don't watch this.

Using live footage the journalist goes deep into Iraq revealing footage never seen before received directly from Nationalists and then terrorists.

He express the emotions of the soldiers and himself a very do and meaningful way that makes him question himself hence my comments about being judgemental.

Sit down, don't get distracted and be ready

It's a little disingenuous to claim that 'Al-Zarqawi' is a star in this documentary as if the creator was his 'go to guy'. I got no particular feeling of this at all, despite claims made during the documentary. I won't go into why, it would ruin the story. Despite these claims, it is a pretty good documentary and worth a watch for the sheer nakedness of the war displayed in all it's horror. Why we have censorship in countries is beyond me. War is war and should never be taken lightly. The age of some of these soldiers is unbelievable and the things and decisions they are exposed to on a daily basis is horrendous that it's really no surprise when they come back and develop PTSD.

Filled with footage that can only be described as incredible, as a viewer I found myself absolutely glued to the screen from start to finish.

This documentary shows a very raw viewpoint of the Iraq War and gives an insight into the filmaker and his motivations who put himself in such grave danger to acquire footage that is nothing short of remarkable.

One of the more interesting shots near the start of the documentary is narrated by the filmaker who explains this is the first time he captured anything on video, and that over the course of the next few years he would capture hundreds of hours of footage on what he describes as a beat up handycam.

Another notable points is the filmakers decision to show his team on the documentary, crediting the team (most of whom are local people) for their efforts shows that not every citizen of the country is an enemy of the west, something I wish other media covering the war would stress.

There are scenes that are difficult to watch but I am glad they are included, I would say that is one of the strong points of this documentary, as this gives a very authentic feel to the footage.