On the Objection Front 2005
Distributed by First Run/Icarus Films, 32 Court St., 21st Floor, Brooklyn, NY 11201; 800-876-1710
Producer n/a
Director n/a
VHS, color, 63 min.
Sr. High - Adult
Military Studies, Middle Eastern Studies
Date Entered: 02/28/2006
Reviewed by Lauren Aldridge, Huddleston Bolen LLP Law Library, Huntington, WVOn the Objection Front and At the Green Line both deal with the Courage to Refuse movement that began within the Israeli Defense Force in 2002. Organized during the height of the Palestinian uprising, Courage to Refuse and their message of conscientious objection raised many political, moral, and patriotic questions.
On the Objection Front features interviews with six of the founding members of Courage to Refuse, and shares their personal stories and their reasons for making their decisions. These ex-soldiers share the stories of how their decisions changed their lives. This film assumes that the viewer has some background information about the Courage to Refuse movement. In a classroom setting, it would be wise to preface the movie with a discussion about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
At the Green Line takes a similar approach, and profiles several members of Courage to Refuse. Both films take care to highlight the ex-soldiers’ struggles with morality, patriotism, and their own consciences as they made the decision to refuse to fight. At the Green Line goes one step further, and contrasts the members of Courage to Refuse with soldiers who still belong to the Israeli Defense Force. This contrast deepens the interest between those who refuse to fight and those who continue to fight. In particular, At the Green Line could be used in history classes to spark a debate about war, pacifism, and why some people choose one over the other.
Both films do show scenes of violence, but in my opinion, they are no worse than anything on the evening news. Both films are recommended for high school ages and beyond.