Tucker and Epperlein are a married American couple who visited Iraq twice in late 2003 and 2004. They followed the 2-3 Field Artillery Division (the "Gunners") of the Army's First Armoured Division. They live in the partially-destroyed palace once occupied by Saddam's son, Uday. It has a functioning swimming pool and a putting green and a great sound system.
Part of the frustration for these guys is their job is no longer definable (as the combat soldiers that they are). Sometimes police, sometimes counselors, sometimes paramedics and sometimes soldiers.
The filmmakers go along with the Gunners on their nighttime patrols following them into houses harboring suspected terrorists. Gunfire breaks out at unexpected moments. Tucker photographed his own movie, taking risks against his life. The Gunners were willing to have him along and you can see in the movie they felt comfortable and relaxed in front of the camera. It's as if they forgot the camera was on them.
Another thing you can't help but notice is that these soldiers are pretty disproportionately from the poorer part of society, as observed in the recruiting scenes in Fahrenheit 9/11. You also can't help but notice that these guys are here for each other. That's what motivates them into action. They are here to protect their buddies.
All the music in this movie is by the soldier's themselves, and it would make an interesting sound track -- a mixture of music and poetry. I highly recommend this movie as a documentary that took some real guts to actually film. He puts you as much in the thick of things as you're likely to ever get.
To see a trailer of the movie click on the link below.
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