Waltz With Bashir

A review by Zach Foster

Waltz With Bashir is a 2008 animated autobiographical film dealing with a veteran of the 1982 Lebanon War whose memories of the war have been repressed, and sets out to reconnect with army buddies to piece together what happened.  Though it is animated, the film is by no means a cartoon—it is rated R for war violence, language, and some nudity.  The film’s plot and story are absolutely gripping and horrifying—and true.  It also includes a well balanced sound track, from classical piano compositions to Israeli and American heavy metal.  The film is available to own on DVD and Blu Ray and is dubbed in English as well as in Hebrew with English subtitles.  It was nominated for Best Foreign Film Academy Award and won the Golden Glove for the same category.

This film is very important for Americans to better understand not only the 2006 Lebanon war but also the current wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.  This film is a perfect example of the psychological effects and manifestations of post traumatic stress disorder, as well as other evils facing troops and veterans.  It shows how religious fanatical terrorists fight and operate, and shows clear and explicit examples of collateral damage caused when jihadists bring the war to residential zones.  It even illustrates a portrayal of domestic civilian disgust or cold indifference to wartime soldiers.  It also illustrates how veterans cope daily with the horrors of their past which will always be a part of their present.