The Chris Hedges Report Podcast with filmmaker Talia Lugacy and combat veteran Eli Wright on their film This is Not a War Story, which shatters the myths about war peddled by Hollywood.
The Chris Hedges Report Podcast with filmmaker Talia Lugacy and combat veteran Eli Wright on their film This is Not a War Story, which shatters the myths about war peddled by Hollywood.
I’m an AF veteran who served during the Clinton years, almost entirely (all things considered) peace-time. That said, I know combat vets and I’ve heard stories. This was gut-wrenching to listen to and so thoroughly necessary. Thanks to you, Chris and to Talia and Eli for sharing and creating content and art around this topic. Truly epic and courageous.
I feel like a dope whenever I comment/coach a writer of your stature, but here goes.
“The real story of war is never told by Hollywood. Its senselessness, cruelty, gruesomeness and impersonalized wholesale industrial slaughter of innocents are redeemed for the old cliches of glory, honor, heroism and patriotism.”
Born on the Fourth of July, Apocalypse Now, Forrest Gump, 1917, Band of Brothers, Deer Hunter, All Quiet on the Western Front, Full Metal Jacket...just some examples that come to mind that highlight the brutal and violent horror of war. I agree, blockbusters like Maverick serve as propaganda/entertainment distractions, but I think there is substantial evidence that the real story of war is regularly portrayed by the entertainment industry.
I only mention this because I believe you do yourself and your cause an injustice with hyperbole. The world is rarely solely black and white. As a reader, I would greater enjoy your work and appreciate more your credibility if you tempered your passion with a few less definitives.
I am a paid subscriber, and I believe your views need to be heard. I hope my amateur attempts at counsel are neither offensive nor poorly considered.
"Thank you for your service" from the indoctrinated US public rings so hollow but soothes the willfully ignorant. Those poems of moral injury will bring their hackles up because it rankles their double think conscience. I read a book by Kelly Denton-Borhaug called "And Then Your Soul is Gone" moral injury and US war-culture and highly recommend it. This movie documentary hits on some of same the hard hitting facts of war. It more than any other historic account of war is the best I have ever read. As I was reading, I thought of all the PTSD victims and how this book could help them. With a tear in my eye and a gut wrenching realization of the uselessness of war. The title of the book ties in with soldiers who felt something drain from their bodies after seeing the death and destruction they were part of. For all intents they died that day too. Returning vets from WW1 through to now hated phony blind patriotism and hero worship. Along with Pastors and Gods blessings for their sacrifice. "The homeland dream" touring vets and the hero worship, at NFL games. "After two solid weeks of public events Billy continues to be amazed at the public response, the raw wavering voices and frenzied speech patterns, the gibberish spilled from the mouths of seemingly well-adjusted citizens. Their "verbal arabesques....spark and snap in Billy's ears like bugs impacting an electric bug zapper". i.e. "terrRr" "Eye-rack" "Eaaaar-rock" Sod'm" "freedoms" "nina leven" "hero" "sacrifice" "soooh-preeeeme sacirifice" 'Bush" "Osama" "values" "di-mock-cruh-see". The back cover says " The sharp and unforgiving suffering of the morally injured veteran cannot be fully understood, much less effectively addressed, without comprehensive investigation of moral injury's underlying causes in American culture and society". P.S. Chris you could use this book and teach a class, the back cover is calling out "And Your Soul is Gone will be of interest to students and scholars of religion and philosophy, military service members and veterans, concerned citizens, chaplains and religious leaders". If I had a family member who served I would buy him or her a copy immediately, it could save their life!
I remember listening to vets from WWII, Vietnam, and Iraq telling me of their experiences. Listening to this podcast brought their stories all back to me. It was sobering. Thank you.
The way war is portrayed in film and the sophisticated propaganda by media that allows no criticism of war is priceless. The amazing thing is most American's think they are immune. The advertising dollars prove that it is an illusion. Saving Private Ryan has the standard often repeated scene and justification for giving no quarter. "Tom Hanks character shows his moral conscience when he released the Nazi prisoner when everyone else wants him murdered. Then without fail the same soldier shoots and kills Hanks character". The moral of the story is although WE are moral the enemy won't allow it, so WE must flush any and all morals down the drain. The US army does just that as example. Military cadence marching songs I call a Poem of Murder " I went to church... Where all the people pray....I took out my Claymore....And I blew them all away.... Singing left right, left right, left right KILL!.....Left right, left right, you know I WILL! ". Used by drill Sargent's in an army base near you, to bolster recruits 'tiring legs and spirits during a long formation. (from the book And then your Soul is Gone)
There are definitely some antiwar movies but they are vastly outnumbered by the ones that glorify war.
I’m an AF veteran who served during the Clinton years, almost entirely (all things considered) peace-time. That said, I know combat vets and I’ve heard stories. This was gut-wrenching to listen to and so thoroughly necessary. Thanks to you, Chris and to Talia and Eli for sharing and creating content and art around this topic. Truly epic and courageous.
I feel like a dope whenever I comment/coach a writer of your stature, but here goes.
“The real story of war is never told by Hollywood. Its senselessness, cruelty, gruesomeness and impersonalized wholesale industrial slaughter of innocents are redeemed for the old cliches of glory, honor, heroism and patriotism.”
Born on the Fourth of July, Apocalypse Now, Forrest Gump, 1917, Band of Brothers, Deer Hunter, All Quiet on the Western Front, Full Metal Jacket...just some examples that come to mind that highlight the brutal and violent horror of war. I agree, blockbusters like Maverick serve as propaganda/entertainment distractions, but I think there is substantial evidence that the real story of war is regularly portrayed by the entertainment industry.
I only mention this because I believe you do yourself and your cause an injustice with hyperbole. The world is rarely solely black and white. As a reader, I would greater enjoy your work and appreciate more your credibility if you tempered your passion with a few less definitives.
I am a paid subscriber, and I believe your views need to be heard. I hope my amateur attempts at counsel are neither offensive nor poorly considered.
"Thank you for your service" from the indoctrinated US public rings so hollow but soothes the willfully ignorant. Those poems of moral injury will bring their hackles up because it rankles their double think conscience. I read a book by Kelly Denton-Borhaug called "And Then Your Soul is Gone" moral injury and US war-culture and highly recommend it. This movie documentary hits on some of same the hard hitting facts of war. It more than any other historic account of war is the best I have ever read. As I was reading, I thought of all the PTSD victims and how this book could help them. With a tear in my eye and a gut wrenching realization of the uselessness of war. The title of the book ties in with soldiers who felt something drain from their bodies after seeing the death and destruction they were part of. For all intents they died that day too. Returning vets from WW1 through to now hated phony blind patriotism and hero worship. Along with Pastors and Gods blessings for their sacrifice. "The homeland dream" touring vets and the hero worship, at NFL games. "After two solid weeks of public events Billy continues to be amazed at the public response, the raw wavering voices and frenzied speech patterns, the gibberish spilled from the mouths of seemingly well-adjusted citizens. Their "verbal arabesques....spark and snap in Billy's ears like bugs impacting an electric bug zapper". i.e. "terrRr" "Eye-rack" "Eaaaar-rock" Sod'm" "freedoms" "nina leven" "hero" "sacrifice" "soooh-preeeeme sacirifice" 'Bush" "Osama" "values" "di-mock-cruh-see". The back cover says " The sharp and unforgiving suffering of the morally injured veteran cannot be fully understood, much less effectively addressed, without comprehensive investigation of moral injury's underlying causes in American culture and society". P.S. Chris you could use this book and teach a class, the back cover is calling out "And Your Soul is Gone will be of interest to students and scholars of religion and philosophy, military service members and veterans, concerned citizens, chaplains and religious leaders". If I had a family member who served I would buy him or her a copy immediately, it could save their life!
I remember listening to vets from WWII, Vietnam, and Iraq telling me of their experiences. Listening to this podcast brought their stories all back to me. It was sobering. Thank you.
The way war is portrayed in film and the sophisticated propaganda by media that allows no criticism of war is priceless. The amazing thing is most American's think they are immune. The advertising dollars prove that it is an illusion. Saving Private Ryan has the standard often repeated scene and justification for giving no quarter. "Tom Hanks character shows his moral conscience when he released the Nazi prisoner when everyone else wants him murdered. Then without fail the same soldier shoots and kills Hanks character". The moral of the story is although WE are moral the enemy won't allow it, so WE must flush any and all morals down the drain. The US army does just that as example. Military cadence marching songs I call a Poem of Murder " I went to church... Where all the people pray....I took out my Claymore....And I blew them all away.... Singing left right, left right, left right KILL!.....Left right, left right, you know I WILL! ". Used by drill Sargent's in an army base near you, to bolster recruits 'tiring legs and spirits during a long formation. (from the book And then your Soul is Gone)
How does get ahold of the director Veteran for Peace #102 would love shoe this film in Milwaukee
Is the transcript of conversation
Wow wonderful film
US navy ‘67-76 FUCK WAR
Chris thanks, I have ordered my DVD. Wondering if u do smaller venues? Veteran for Peace #102 MKE has a Restore Armistice Day
Every Nov 11th every year. We ask national or local speakers. Just wondering thanks for podcast
And all u do
Bob koshin Hanson VFP#102
Powerful! I hope to see if I can collaborate with others and show it as a part of summer screen on grass I intent to do in Maryland