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 GLOBAL MOVEMENT FOR A CULTURE OF PEACE

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Question: Can films about war advance the cause of peace? CPNN article: The Cranes Are Flying:  An Old Film Gets a New Life
CPNN Administrator
Posted: Dec. 13 2002,06:31
From the review by Joe Yannielli: It is difficult to find a war movie that does not glorify senseless violence, let alone one which focuses on women empowerment. However, world audiences are in for a rare treat. On April 16th, 2002, Criterion will be releasing the first DVD edition of the classic Russian film, The Cranes are Flying....Cranes was one of few war movies to call for hope in the face of adversity and to carry a strong message for peace.... Cranes illustrates the violent atmosphere of war-torn Russia. However, it is done tastefully. Kalatozov utilizes indirect effects such as sirens, explosions, and gunfire without ever showing a bomb or an enemy soldier. The implication of violence, rather than overt death and destruction, reveals its tragic impact without glorifying the action.....Its ultimate message of peace, hope, and rebuilding applies to all countries moving from a culture of war to a culture of peace. The upcoming international DVD release will hopefully carry this message to all corners of the globe.
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Charlie
Posted: June 30 2004,16:57
Although I am not familiar with The Cranes Are Flying, I've heard quite a bit about another classic foriegn film, in this case from France. The Battle of Algiers, released in 1966, apparently has some uncanny parallels to our current misadventures in Iraq. If anyone would like to review the film or further comment on its ability to promote a culture of peace, it would be greatly appreciated.
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Joe
Posted: July 01 2004,12:21
I saw 'Battle of Algiers' about 3 years ago. I don't remember enough to write a review. But, it does depict how a clandestine group of violent terrorists can help undermine an imperial regime. This kind of response is very similar to what Fanon advocates in 'The Wretched of the Earth'.

The relation to frustrated and angry people (clerical rebels, suicide bombers, etc.) in Iraq is obvious. But, even though this tactic was somewhat successful in Algiers, should this kind of resistance be considered part of a culture of peace? Anti-imperial campaigns are a tricky and complex issue. Anyone have any thoughts on this?
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CPNN Administrator
Posted: July 02 2004,14:53
What I recall from The Battle of Algiers, which I saw when it first came out, was a scene toward the end of the film when several of the revolutionaries stand together overlooking the rooftops of the Casbah, pleased that they were succeeding in making the French withdraw, but saying, "Now the hard part begins, to build a revolutionary society."  It's been almost a half century and Algeria remains a divided country racked by violence and injustice.  

In my opinion, there are important lessons here for everyone.  National liberation is only a first step.  Once liberation is achieved, the task remains to create a just society.  All too often, the task is made difficult by persistence of the organizational structure of the national liberation movement - a structure of the culture of war.
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Charlie
Posted: July 05 2004,11:23
Interesting comments on the Battle of Algiers. I'll have to see it before I can make a more meaningful contribution. In the mean time, here's some more food for thought. The link below is to an article in The Guardian by the playwright David Mamet.

http://www.commondreams.org/views04/0702-11.htm

He discusses violence in the movies and its effect on the audience. Interesting take on our subject of discussion.
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CPNN Administrator
Posted: July 15 2006,14:35
In addition to the original article on which this question was based, The Cranes Are Flying: An Old Film Gets a New Life, this question now refers to another CPNN article, James Nachtwey: An Anti-war Photographer.  Readers' comments are invited.
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