Waltz with Bashir (R) 8.0

Waltz with Bashir (2008) "Vals Im Bashir" (original title): An Israeli film director interviews fellow veterans of the 1982 invasion of Lebanon to reconstruct his own memories of his term of service in that conflict. (7.9)

Director: Ari Folman
Writer: Ari Folman
Stars: Ari Folman, Ori Sivan, Ronny Dayag

I started watching the movie not knowing much about it, other than seeing "animation for grown-ups" in one of the descriptions. I didn't know that it was a documentary of an actual event until quite a bit into the movie. Not having followed the endless conflict in middle east that closely, I didn't realize they were talking about the Sabra and Shatila massacre that had actually happened in real life. That blissful ignorance for the first half of the movie actually made me realize that a lot of wars are like that, and that war is hell even when it is depicted in animation. The movie itself is a documentary about the self discovery of repressed memories. The animation is quite unique and very well done. I think, the technique of using animation to tell the story very well suites the purpose of this documentary. The music also plays a major role in the message. Yes, this is an anti-war documentary in the form of animation from a former soldier who is (believed to be) partially responsible for the brutality. And, in my view, it takes guts to do a project like this. My Rating: 8.0