Be it books, movies, documentaries, or even music. I feel like I have people around me whom wish to fight violence with violence, with mentalities like “we should just counter-invade and show them who’s boss” or “I’m not afraid to fight for what I believe in”, showing a clear intent against an “enemy”.
“The enemy” is such a dehumanizing perspective, and only breeds further animosity. I wish for them to see that we all manage to find justifications for our actions, but that doesn’t make it worthy of just any sacrifice.
I recently saw the Norwegian movie Max Manus, which is about real events during WW2.
Tap for spoiler
He survives, but with almost none of his friends, and after the war he struggles with alcoholism and nightmares for the rest of his life.
It left me with a feeling of despite “victory”, many people paid with more than just their life. And this is the feeling I wish others to feel, just for a bit, and ponder if “doing the right thing” really is the best thing.
No one should want conflict, and I wish to emphasize just how much we really should try and avoid warmongering. I’ve seen uncensored videos from modern wars, been in the military, had a great grandfather who fought in WW2 (who also struggled with nightmares and PTSD until his natural death), and all of it makes me dread the potential of the horrors that happen to everyone involved in an armed conflict, especially the innocents and the kids…
So, any suggestions for media that conveys this in a way that makes one really reflect?
The Anime Grave of the Fireflies (AniDB) is a heart-wrenching telling of the impact and consequences of war.
Come and See (TMDB), a 1985 soviet anti-war film. I haven’t watched it yet, but I’ve seen it mentioned multiple times as significant or exceptional, heart-wrenching. (Looks like other comments mention it as well, as expected. :P)
I’m a bit disappointed I can’t recall much else right now, and of different kinds than just the misery of war. Two other anime pop into my head, but the aspects asked for aren’t a major part of them.
There are many videos and reports of Ukraine military defense operations that can show what combat realistically looks like. Even for the righteous, it’s a harsh situation. Moral superiority does not help much when you’re sitting in trenches, in the situational, practical aspects at least.
A Soviet anti-war film sounds intriguing, especially considering the times. I’ll definitely give that a watch. Grave of the Fireflies has been on my list for ages as a Studio Ghibli film, so I guess it’s about time for that one too, thanks.
When it comes to real footage, I’ve seen too much. It’s what still sits with me, the gut-wrenching despair people are exposed to, and the lifelong nightmares in active development. There are videos I’d like for certain people to see, but I’m unsure whether it’s a good idea or not to show them. NSFL content is something I generally don’t share unless I’m completely confident it will have a constructive reception. Hence I ask for common media instead, that is thought provoking on a less risky level.