Tribeca Film Festival and Disability Film
Four documentaries on the Iraq War and its aftermath are playing at the fifth annual Tribeca film festival, which was founded in the wake of 9/11 to help revive Lower Manhattan and promote the film industry in New York.I just want to put a few comments in about a couple of them: “Home Front,” and “The Blood of My Brother” which examine different aspects of the Iraq conflict, but all remind us of the dreadful toll it has taken. No matter what your personal beliefs may be these movies will certainly be an emotional experience.
“Home Front” is a documentary about Jeremy Feldbusch and his family and how they are adjusting to his return. The former high-school wrestler, football player and honors student who was blinded by shrapnel in Iraq. (Hence my inclusion of it here in this blog.)
It shows the dramatic difference in his life: him trying to do simple tasks such as walking or reading braille but also shows the emotional impact and constant battle with despair with the former Army Ranger staying home sleeping late, and taking pills. The film ends on a higher note with Feldbusch getting involved with the Wounded Warrior Project, a nonprofit group that helps severely injured veterans, becoming a public representative for the group, talking to schoolchildren and lobbying Congress on behalf of wounded vets.
The other film is interesting in that it is shown from the Iraqi Viewpoint. The “Blood of my Brother” shows how the family of Ra’ad, a portrait photographer killed by American soldiers while guarding a mosque, deals with his death.
“When I see a burning tank, it makes me happy,” his brother Ibrahim says. “When I see any Americans or Jews, I want revenge. But I can’t. I have to take care of the house.”
I have to admit I find it rather chilling, to say the least.
This blog post is based on the Bloomberg article written by Rick Warner.
