Being a white Englishman who served in the South African Defence force, I have a direct relation to this film. I can definitely say I can relate to the character of Nick in this little movie. For a student film to be brave enough to tackle the controversial topic that the film explores, says a lot about the filmmakers. They've got balls. After watching the youtube trailer for the film and seeing all the negative comments, the arguments taking place and the memories of my own time served in the defense force, I knew I had to get hold of this film. It really does ask an important question which I believe many viewers have missed completely.
If you are looking for a gung ho action movie, or a hero flick, this is not it. This little film will stand out and say it the way it was. My experience in the defense force was not something I enjoyed. Being part of an apartheid government that brainwashed us, young kids, to protect a border from communism. To keep a majority population at bay in the townships. We were not trained to battle for freedom, we were trained to oppress it.
I've never had the inclination to voice my opinions on my time in the defense force, mainly because the majority of the brainwashed soldiers that served were very much like the Afrikaans character in the film who believes he is doing everything right. And because of that, they react no differently to my opinions, threatening me or getting very aggressive. I believe the filmmakers have opened a wound that many ex servicemen never were able to close after apartheid fell and handed the South African Government over to the very men we were trained to kill. I believe these very men feel betrayed, and seeing a film like this, that brutally tells the truth, the clear divide between English and Afrikaans troops, is something that opens a can of worms.
I say Bravo and well done. I have never been able to explain to my wife, the experiences I had during my time in the defense force. My son has often been curious about my time there, and now finally, I can show them a film that speaks the very words for me.
So thank you for telling my story. I know I am one of the few who believed what was going on was not right. I will be called a traitor.
But thats the wonderful thing about todays world. We are free to have an opinion. Or are we?
You decide.
A very well put together film. I highly recommend it if you have an open mind about the South African Defense Force.
If you are looking for a gung ho action movie, or a hero flick, this is not it. This little film will stand out and say it the way it was. My experience in the defense force was not something I enjoyed. Being part of an apartheid government that brainwashed us, young kids, to protect a border from communism. To keep a majority population at bay in the townships. We were not trained to battle for freedom, we were trained to oppress it.
I've never had the inclination to voice my opinions on my time in the defense force, mainly because the majority of the brainwashed soldiers that served were very much like the Afrikaans character in the film who believes he is doing everything right. And because of that, they react no differently to my opinions, threatening me or getting very aggressive. I believe the filmmakers have opened a wound that many ex servicemen never were able to close after apartheid fell and handed the South African Government over to the very men we were trained to kill. I believe these very men feel betrayed, and seeing a film like this, that brutally tells the truth, the clear divide between English and Afrikaans troops, is something that opens a can of worms.
I say Bravo and well done. I have never been able to explain to my wife, the experiences I had during my time in the defense force. My son has often been curious about my time there, and now finally, I can show them a film that speaks the very words for me.
So thank you for telling my story. I know I am one of the few who believed what was going on was not right. I will be called a traitor.
But thats the wonderful thing about todays world. We are free to have an opinion. Or are we?
You decide.
A very well put together film. I highly recommend it if you have an open mind about the South African Defense Force.