Occupation: Dreamland

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Audience Member 6/30/16 Sundance Doc Club Another look at how screwed up our policy to invade Iraq was. Does a pretty good job of showing the frustration our soldiers endure and the hate we generate among the populace by kicking in their doors in the middle of the night, how would we feel if that was happening in our cities. Soldiers have a duty and a mission given to them by politicians and they do a great job doing that mission. Politicians should be required to see movies like this before they decide to invade a country. Rated 3/5 Stars •  Rated 3 out of 5 stars 01/12/23 Full Review Audience Member was expecting a documentary on the fall of Falluja, made by filmmakers who just happened to be in the ill-fated Iraqi city when it was obliterated by U.S. Marines in the spring of 2004. But that's not at all what this film is about. Instead, Occupation: Dreamland is an intimate account of a particular group of soldiers in a specific time and place in the Iraq war. So don't walk into the theater expecting to have all of your questions about Iraq answered. But you will learn about a handful of American soldiers and how they perceive the war and their particular situation. Most of them understand that this isn't a war for liberation. They were smart enough to realize that this war, like all war, is about money and control. Still, these are hardworking and honest soldiers, and as such, they'll faithfully follow their orders and execute their duties, whether they believe in what they're doing or not. So no, you won't see a first-hand account of the destruction of Falluja, but you will meet eight or so men who will give you a deeper understanding of the American soldiers today. Rated 2.5/5 Stars •  Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 01/30/23 Full Review Audience Member interesting - worth seeing. formally mediocre. lots of gaps. Rated 3/5 Stars •  Rated 3 out of 5 stars 01/30/23 Full Review Audience Member Alright documentary, but not the greatest. Shown through the eyes of some young, regular U.S. soldiers, asking the soldiers I would argue pretty dumb questions like 'why are you fighting'? The soldiers respond with answers like 'I don't even know why I'm fighting...' It gives a bad look on the whole war, and the answers need to be taken with a grain of salt. If you are young, and don't have another job, or college education, or much else going on, of course you're going to probably be bewildered, maybe disillusioned about fighting in a foreign country far from home. The reality is though, there is a mission, and the mission is above the individual. Soldiers have similar feelings the whole world over, but that doesn't mean the war is pointless, it means the soldiers are just voicing their personal thoughts. It should be taken like it is, not as a statement that the war is bad, Bush is stupid, or anything else political. Unfortunately, you get the feeling that this whole movie is basically saying just that. Rated 2.5/5 Stars •  Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 02/15/23 Full Review Audience Member The documentary is fair and poignant, and doesn't rely on explosions. You feel for the people involved, even though they are far from the best sort. It has very good editing and indicates a dedicated post-production. There are a lot of elements of artistry in the film, and the parallels are exploited. This film does a good job of combining its artistic and temporal aspects. It doesn't say much that isn't known, however. I still recommend it, though, if you have some spare time. Rated 4/5 Stars •  Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/09/23 Full Review Audience Member An intimate and thought provoking look at soldiers lives in Iraq. The filmmaker does a good job letting the soldiers speak their piece and views on life in Iraq and in the Army in general. Well worth the time. Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/30/23 Full Review Read all reviews

Occupation: Dreamland

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