The fact that it is reported some Dutch war veterans are uncomfortable with this movie being released is a testament to the filmmaker portraying the part of Dutch history many would rather not face
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This movie is about a young man who volunteers to fight in the Indonesian liberation war , mainly because of his family's unfortunate choices during the nazi occupation the main character feels obligated to demonstrate his commitment to his country by throwing his all into the counter insurgency war in the Dutch East Indies (Indonesia).
TThey say war's first casualty is innocence and that is the case here, he tries to learn Indonesian, relate to the local communities and basically is thinking he is there to help.
Serendipity happens and his path goes astray as he teams with a commander who has integrated with the Indonesians who believes his way of fighting the insurgents is the right way.
This movie shows an unknown, mostly unreported war and the terrible situations many young Dutch men were thrown into on the whim of a post war government desperate to cling to colonial power whatever the cost.
The battle contact scenes are realistic , no Hollywood massive explosions here, more an unseen enemy taking shots from afar, over retaliation and soul searching from soldiers unsure if they are liberators or war criminals.
I think this could be up for the Oscar nomination for best international film in 2022.
Highly recommended.
This movie is about a young man who volunteers to fight in the Indonesian liberation war , mainly because of his family's unfortunate choices during the nazi occupation the main character feels obligated to demonstrate his commitment to his country by throwing his all into the counter insurgency war in the Dutch East Indies (Indonesia).
TThey say war's first casualty is innocence and that is the case here, he tries to learn Indonesian, relate to the local communities and basically is thinking he is there to help.
Serendipity happens and his path goes astray as he teams with a commander who has integrated with the Indonesians who believes his way of fighting the insurgents is the right way.
This movie shows an unknown, mostly unreported war and the terrible situations many young Dutch men were thrown into on the whim of a post war government desperate to cling to colonial power whatever the cost.
The battle contact scenes are realistic , no Hollywood massive explosions here, more an unseen enemy taking shots from afar, over retaliation and soul searching from soldiers unsure if they are liberators or war criminals.
I think this could be up for the Oscar nomination for best international film in 2022.
Highly recommended.