The definition of Redaction is, a form of editing in which multiple sources are combined and subjected to minor alteration to create a definitive and coherent work (thanks, Wikipedia). The film tells a fictional story which based on real event of the Mahmudiyah killings, the gang-rape, murder, and burning of Abeer Qasim Hamza al-Janabi, a 14-year-old Iraqi girl in March 2006.
"Redacted" is pseudo-documentary that conveys its massage so brutally raw and told in such an interesting way. We've observed the situation via fake French documentary, internet blogs, security cameras, news and most importantly, a candid camera by one of the soldier in Iraq War. This is an intention that the director, Brian De Palma trying to tell his story from all these footages. I found it's appropriate for its time. As we're living in the digital world where everything go past right thru us in every direction (whether we're ready to accept or not). To me, "Redacted" is like a mirror reflections to an early Del Palma's film "Casualties of War" where Michael J. Fox's character experienced the same exact horror.
You may have a question about how exactly this film stays true to the real incident. Well, you're not alone. While watching this film, I repeatedly ask myself whether those particular scenes are actually happened or not. Because they were presented for us in such an overly dramatized kind of way. I understand that those actors need to pretend like they act in front of his friend's camera, so what we have here are plenty of unconvincing acting that came from those non-professional actors.
But I think I get your point here, Brian De Palma. After I realized what is the meaning of the word "Redaction". You see, this is a kind of movie that minor manipulation and alteration that are completely necessary, in order to make us pay fully attention to its massage (and it gains a full impact by De Palma's usual style and his fond of blowing stuff up into gigantic proportion). In the key scene of this movie where 2 soldiers barged into one of Iraqian's house, raped and killed each every single civilian in it. Although this scene is a little bit over the top, but I cannot denied that it's so effective and really making me sick to the stomach. And also in the scene where one of an unfortunate US soldier have his head amputated, it's just so unbearable to watch it.
"Redacted" didn't take any side. It's just present as it might actually happen. They're neither saint nor devil. Just a simple human being who done stupid things in order to revenge for their comrade. And collateral who died along the way. The saddest thing is, it goes on and on and on and on....
"Redacted" is pseudo-documentary that conveys its massage so brutally raw and told in such an interesting way. We've observed the situation via fake French documentary, internet blogs, security cameras, news and most importantly, a candid camera by one of the soldier in Iraq War. This is an intention that the director, Brian De Palma trying to tell his story from all these footages. I found it's appropriate for its time. As we're living in the digital world where everything go past right thru us in every direction (whether we're ready to accept or not). To me, "Redacted" is like a mirror reflections to an early Del Palma's film "Casualties of War" where Michael J. Fox's character experienced the same exact horror.
You may have a question about how exactly this film stays true to the real incident. Well, you're not alone. While watching this film, I repeatedly ask myself whether those particular scenes are actually happened or not. Because they were presented for us in such an overly dramatized kind of way. I understand that those actors need to pretend like they act in front of his friend's camera, so what we have here are plenty of unconvincing acting that came from those non-professional actors.
But I think I get your point here, Brian De Palma. After I realized what is the meaning of the word "Redaction". You see, this is a kind of movie that minor manipulation and alteration that are completely necessary, in order to make us pay fully attention to its massage (and it gains a full impact by De Palma's usual style and his fond of blowing stuff up into gigantic proportion). In the key scene of this movie where 2 soldiers barged into one of Iraqian's house, raped and killed each every single civilian in it. Although this scene is a little bit over the top, but I cannot denied that it's so effective and really making me sick to the stomach. And also in the scene where one of an unfortunate US soldier have his head amputated, it's just so unbearable to watch it.
"Redacted" didn't take any side. It's just present as it might actually happen. They're neither saint nor devil. Just a simple human being who done stupid things in order to revenge for their comrade. And collateral who died along the way. The saddest thing is, it goes on and on and on and on....