'Warfare', directed by Alex Garland and Ray Mendoza, presents an unconventional view of the 2006 battle of Ramadi, showcasing the experiences of an anonymous Navy SEAL unit. This film diverges from typical war narratives, opting to forego music and traditional plot structures in favor of a raw portrayal of combat reality. Through intense sound design and minimal framing, the movie aims to reflect Mendoza's personal experiences as a combat veteran, challenging viewers' expectations of a hero-driven story and instead presenting a collective memory of warfare that feels both documentary-like and narratively detached.
Everything startling about Warfare's minimal framing and intense presentation came from the creators' attempt to subjectively document Mendoza's own experience under fire at Ramadi.
Garland and Mendoza follow these almost-anonymous soldiers through the ins and outs of dreary routine on a stakeout, as if embedded with a real-life military unit.
There's no music juicing up the drama, and no pat narrative arcs: no hero, villain, protagonist, or moral.
Mendoza is a first-time director; Garland is the Oscar-nominated director of Annihilation, but both put their stamp on Warfare, creating a distinctive project.
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