Redacted is a fictional documentary-style film directed by Brian De Palma. The movie explores the consequences of the Iraq war on both American military personnel and the Iraqi people. The film is presented in a fragmented and nonlinear structure, switching between different forms of media including surveillance footage, personal vlogs, video diaries and news reports.
The film follows a group of American soldiers stationed in Iraq who are tasked with preventing insurgent activity and maintaining order. The soldiers struggle with the moral implications of their mission and suffer from the psychological trauma of the violence and atrocities they witness. The film also features interviews with members of the unit, who share their personal experiences and thoughts about the war.
In addition to the soldiers' perspectives, the film also portrays the effects of the war on Iraqi civilians. Local people are shown living in a state of constant fear and uncertainty, struggling to survive amidst the violence and chaos of the conflict. The interviews with Iraqi citizens provide insight into the human toll of the war, with heartbreaking stories of loss and devastation.
Throughout the film, De Palma makes a statement about media censorship and the role of propaganda in shaping public perception. The film is presented in a way that challenges the viewer, leaving them to question the accuracy and authenticity of the information presented.
Overall, Redacted is a powerful and thought-provoking portrayal of the human cost of war. It exposes the physical and psychological toll that violence and conflict take on soldiers and civilians alike. By exposing the truth behind the media’s sanitised version of war, it highlights the importance of questioning the narratives we are fed and the need to look beyond the surface level to uncover the full story.