War Is Not a Game 2010
Distributed by National Film Board of Canada, 1123 Broadway, Suite 307, New York, NY 10010; 800-542-2164
Produced by Simple Production, Lieurac Productions, National Film Board of Canada, Point Prod
Directed by Lode Desmet
DVD, color, 52 min.
Sr. High - General Adult
History, Human Rights, Military Studies, Political Science
Date Entered: 03/28/2012
Reviewed by Scott S. Richmond, Reference and Instruction Librarian, Daniel A. Reed Library, State University of New York at FredoniaIn this documentary, writer and director, Lode Desmet takes a haunting look at modern warfare and its relationship, or lack thereof, to the Geneva Conventions. The first Geneva Convention, which was signed in 1864, began the era of International Humanitarian Law and called for the respect of human life, both solider and civilian, during wartime. Desmet, by interweaving personal accounts of both veterans and actively serving soldier from across the globe, exposes the realities of war and the ambiguity of the conventions as veterans recount their experiences choosing between surviving and perishing, heroism and cowardice. Desmet also focuses briefly on the lack of a proper court system to prosecute those who violate the Geneva Conventions, which has changed dramatically since 2002 with the introduction of the International Criminal Court, but not all nations in the global community recognize its power. The cinematography and sound quality of this documentary are excellent. This film does contain some graphic images. This film would make a great addition to any library, public or academic