Beginning by asking the question that we usually ask our friends, " What kind of music are you into?" George Gittoes presents a strong viewpoint of the sound that resonates with the soldiers in Iraq. It's quite exciting hearing the soldiers and the local band members to speak their heart and mind on the topic. This is an appropriately titled documentary (ironic also), it's not easy to look at the war-torn background and its debris as a symbol of tragedy, where everything is forbidden.
Fundamentally 'Soundtrack to War' asks questions of power of Music and its influence. On the surface, the movie is about how the soldiers feel in Iraq. Deeper, it is asking what the future holds for them and the uncertainty of their lives? The documentary then sets out to show, very convincingly, that inner conflicts of the soldiers and how they take Music as a therapy and a soundtrack when doing chores or in the battlefield. I was mesmerized and enthralled by this documentary. I wanted it to just go on and on. And by using plenty of close-up, eye level shots in various interviews with the soldiers and locals, the viewer can not deny that the director establishes credibility with both the natural, framing of the shots and the inner feelings of the individuals interviewed. It is evident that George Gittoes fell in love with soldiers and their stories as he conversed with them. The soldiers open up to the camera and rap, talk about their favourite metal bands, artists and they also show themselves to be very real, down-to-earth, fun-loving people--witty, too. We can't help but feel deeply for and enjoy the hell out of them. This wonderful documentary is a treasure, particularly for music fans and for anyone with interest in art.
