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Description
As the military operations in Iraq became increasingly more complex, native Arabic speakers were recruited to translate for U.S and coalition forces. For their assistance these translators were often promised U.S. citizenship and protection from retaliation from within their communities. The Language of War centers on a small number of Iraqi translators and their experiences working directly with the military. This film documents the successes and disappointments experienced on a daily basis as these individuals struggle to fulfill their commitments. The presentation is organized in such a way to allow the audience to experience the courage of these individuals, both on and off the battlefield. As of this writing, the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan continue half a world away, and, as this film demonstrates, the casualties of war are not always what they seem. At its core, the documentary deals with issues of sacrifice, commitment and loyalty that reach across borders and beyond battlefields. It gives voice to its subjects by allowing them to convey their personal memories in their own words. These testimonials enhance the story by lending it authenticity while the filmmaker strove to maintain a distinctive manner of narrative presentation. The documentary is designed so that as the audience listens to these firsthand accounts, they will become further invested in the story, expanding their attention and concern for the subjects of the film. The formal construction of this documentary can be described in its most basic terms as traditional interview material buttressed by photographs and videos supplied by the subjects of the film. These elements, however, are organized to reinforce an intimacy shared by the storyteller and the viewer. With visual reinforcements placing the subjects in a hostile war zone, the audience is afforded a deeper understanding of the extreme pressures under which these individuals were forced to operate. Each interview segment is lit, framed, and staged in a manner designed to augment the inherent drama of these subjects and their plights. A final element employed in this film is combat footage acquired directly from the military. The aggregate of these materials and strategies aims to convey a chaotic dimension while simultaneously bolstering the film's authenticity. Ultimately, the goal is to offer a glimpse into the essence of the human spirit, the terrors of war, and the amazing individuals who can be found within its startling confines
