Civil War is one of those rare films that can enrage you, it covers lots of heavy thought-provoking themes like the nature of war, war journalism, human nature, etc…But above all if you have seen this film, one thing is sure it will stay with you for a very long time.
In my opinion Civil War is a complex Anti War film, probably one of the best of this decade, and today we shall be breaking down why it’s a masterpiece of modern Anti-war cinema.
What is Civil War Movie All About Explained
Civil War is set in a dystopian America, where America is struggling with a 2nd Civil War. The movie basically shows us that in near future America has been divided into 4 factions –
- Western Forces: This includes states like California & Texas, who are rebelling against the current government.
- Florida Alliance
- New People’s Army
- Loyalist States: Those who are under the control of the current Authoritarian government.
The movie deliberately tries not to show any parallels to real-life incidents or events, but instead focuses on a fictional event where America is struggling with a Civil War. The current government has turned into an authoritarian power who has disbanded the FBI, called out drone strikes etc…
Why Civil War is a Brilliant Anti War Cinema
Civil War is a masterfully crafted anti-war film that leads the audience into the heart of war & conflict through the lenses of war journalism. Our protagonists aka war journalists are on a mission to get an interview from the current president before the Western Forces get to him. And through this journey, they come across lots of dangerous factions across America, some are fighting for a cause and there are a few who are using the war as an excuse to unleash their inner inhuman side, by committing murders, executions, and war crimes.
The Soul Of War Journalism
At the beginning of the film, we see Lee (played by Kristen Dunst) who recalls several incidents that she has seen throughout her career, like mob burning down a human alive, soldiers getting blown & shot badly. We can see how these memories were flashing in front of her, kind of making her re live those moments.
And as the film progresses we see Lee talking to a senior journalist, where she states “All this time, whatever I was doing, I thought I was sending a warning back home (America) to not to indulge in war, by showing them the horrors of war” but today they are in the middle of a Civil War.
The film also beautifully showed the real cost of war journalism, how their work brings the untold stories in front of the world but for that these journalists have to pay a heavy price (by having traumas, and ethical dilemmas).
Nature Of War
As the movie progresses we come across several scenes, where the director Alex Garland, throws the audience into the middle of a brutal conflict, like the scene where Jessie (the young aspiring photographer) is held hostage by two soldiers, who were ready to kill them just based on their state(homeland), while them being surrounded by a pile of dead bodies. It was a really horrific scene, that showed us no matter what, in a war only Death wins.
The scene was so brilliantly written, that it kept me on edge, worrying & fearing for the character’s fate, & to be honest this is a sample of how people living in war-torn areas feel, always worrying for their safety, worrying about their fate. It’s probably one of the best-written scenes in the film.
The Hunger For Power & Control
If we would look throughout the history, whenever man got hungry for power & control, it gave rise to dictators. One man’s greed became the reason for the suffering of thousands. And its not just about dictatorship, but also about the responsibility. The responsibility to handle power for the good of the people, if the power falls in the wrong hands it might lead to the suffering of many.
Because ironically, if we would see World War 1 & 2, millions suffered in the war, but the reason for that was because a few handfuls of people misused the power. A few handful of men & their decisions for power became suffering for millions.
Conclusion
In my eyes, the Civil War is probably a masterpiece, because of the way it has portrayed violence and war sending us a message, a warning that no matter what war always brings death. Its simply a masterpiece of modern anti-war cinema.