They Shall Not Grow Old
Film: They Shall Not Grow Old (England Vs Germany 1910-1919)
I saw a documentary at the Projector, directed by Peter Jackson - They Shall Not Grow Old.
The film’s picture is 90% made from war footages. The other 10% are war/propaganda posters, ads and comics used to update the people on what is going on at the war front.
I am very moved by the oral interviews used to tell the story. Their perspectives and thought processes before and after the war tells me humans are humans, no matter the time. I don’t hear bitterness from these old soldiers, but what I hear is empathy, for fellow soldiers regardless Germans (whom they are fighting against). They visuals of how even though the Germans were caught as ‘prisoners’ they were actually happy. I think the saddest thing about war beside death and sufferings, is actually how no one wants to be there, as they kill, they are not filled with anger or hate, but fear and sadness.
Later when these soldiers go home, they feel they don’t belong. The city is hit with a massive amount of unemployment. Recalling the smiles in the footages, despite it is war, they felt a sense of mission, belonging and friendship which was very precious. I believe humans are indeed communal beings, maybe it takes a difficult time like war, to see that nobody is actually born alone or to be alone. Choosing to be a loner, may very well be a ‘luxury’ that we mistake we will enjoy when we have a choice.
I too, wish, I shall not grow old.
I saw a documentary at the Projector, directed by Peter Jackson - They Shall Not Grow Old.
The film’s picture is 90% made from war footages. The other 10% are war/propaganda posters, ads and comics used to update the people on what is going on at the war front.
I am very moved by the oral interviews used to tell the story. Their perspectives and thought processes before and after the war tells me humans are humans, no matter the time. I don’t hear bitterness from these old soldiers, but what I hear is empathy, for fellow soldiers regardless Germans (whom they are fighting against). They visuals of how even though the Germans were caught as ‘prisoners’ they were actually happy. I think the saddest thing about war beside death and sufferings, is actually how no one wants to be there, as they kill, they are not filled with anger or hate, but fear and sadness.
Later when these soldiers go home, they feel they don’t belong. The city is hit with a massive amount of unemployment. Recalling the smiles in the footages, despite it is war, they felt a sense of mission, belonging and friendship which was very precious. I believe humans are indeed communal beings, maybe it takes a difficult time like war, to see that nobody is actually born alone or to be alone. Choosing to be a loner, may very well be a ‘luxury’ that we mistake we will enjoy when we have a choice.
I too, wish, I shall not grow old.