Flandres (2006)

RATING:	80%
FORMAT:	DVD

(www.reelingreviews.com)

[Flanders]

Interesting look at the White manner of waging war. Despite their self-proclaimed superiority; justifying the waging of aggressive - as opposed to defensive - wars, the bestial behavior is no different.

What is interesting here is that sexuality is shown as the root of the problems depicted. The rape of dark-skinned civilians mirrors the sexual behavior at home with girlfriends these soldiers do not respect and whom they use as little more than unpaid prostitutes. And an ethically-empty culture that can only take its failings and export them to an unwilling world.

Given that this is a French film and the French have largely stayed out of an any direct involvement in the so-called War on Terror, it is strange that they should have made such a perspicacious movie about it; albeit one elevated by universalizing the affects of war by refusing to name this particular conflict.

By using non-professional actors, there is a sincerity on screen that is refreshing in its implied intensity. Where this film goes wrong lies in it merely describing - albeit accurately - the situation depicted; but in never suggesting a way out for the characters - while the character-driven nature of the narrative threatens to overwhelm the all-important plot.

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