A documentary that tries to understand what drives warfare in our time, by following three people with unique perspectives – Fredrik Bruhn, a Swedish engineer who’s developing new technologies for the defense industry (hobnobbing with Colin Powell, among others); Bill Lyon, an American soldier who’s back from a tour in Afghanistan and finding life at home boring; and Paula Bronstein, a photojournalist capturing the damage done to civilians in war zones. Interesting at times, but frustratingly empty, failing to make its perspectives gel in a way that feels enlightening. Best part is the portrait of Lyon, a troubled man who misses the battlefield.
2021-Denmark-Sweden. 88 min. Color. Widescreen. Written and directed by Georg Götmark, David Herdies. Narrated by Johannes Anyuru.
Trivia: Swedish author Anyuru wrote the film’s poetic narration together with Mercies May. Dedicated to the memory of Lyon who died earlier in 2021.
