Waltz with Bashir - Memory of a Massacre

Ari Folman's Film of the Illusory Quality of Memory and War

Nov 16, 2009 Barbara DeGrande

A pack of 26 hungry dogs chases a man in his dreams, setting off an investigation into events in his life during the Israeli conflict in Lebanon years earlier

Waltz with Bashir is an innovative film with a surreal animation that follows a former Israeli soldier's journey to rediscover his memory. The eerie effects of the animation, beautifully done by animation director Yoni Goodman, begin with a segment in shades or orange and gray: twenty-six dogs, teeth bared, are chasing through images of city life, as if an evil cartoon has come to terrifying life. The film uses English subtitles, but they are barely noticed, so engrossing are the special animation effects. The dream-like quality perfectly matches the disassociation from reality that Boaz experiences. We witness Boaz Buskila's search for the truth amid the shadows.

Sabra and Shatila Massacre as Illusory Memory

When Boaz encounters Carmi, a former comrade in arms, he discovers Carmi cannot recall any memory of the massacre either. He does recall some time leading up to the massacre, including being told to dump the dead and wounded. He said that he he remembers them going through the motions "as if we're not even present." In one scene, we see soldiers walking through an orchard, with light filtering in between the trees and through the leaves. This delicate beauty is contrasted sharply with the terror that is to follow and has an emotional impact. Because animation can be controlled, the vision of a bullet or explosive moving towards us slowly before exploding gives a clearer idea of the horrors of war than actual footage might -- or does it?

Bashir Gemayel, Charistmatic Leader of Lebanon, Becomes a Martyr

Bashir Gemayel was a charismatic, handsome and widely acclaimed leader of Lebanon who led the Christian militia, the Phalangists, and was elected President of Lebanon. The adoration of Gemayel was akin to idolatory; he was the Beloved. When he was killed by explosives, a need for revenge grew among the Phalangists. No one knows who killed him, but Palestinians were accused. The idea developed to purge all Palestinian fighters from the refugee camps, but were there fighters there?

True Story, Lived by the Director, About a Friend's Journey to Truth

Boaz is a mathematician, living in a world of absolutes in which there is a right answer, a Truth. This is one reason that the film takes on a surreal feel and Boaz is dubbed by an actor. How do you move on beyond horrible nightmares and consuming emotion if your own personal history feels like an ongoing hallucination, yet your image of yourself is one of absolute reality? Boaz needs to sort out reality from his dream-like world. The ending is graphic and will touch the viewer if awake at all. Waltz with Bashir is a creative film, well executed and worth the viewing time.

  • Rated R - not for children
  • Movie site
  • Best Foreign Film, Golden Globe Award
  • Best Animated Feature, LA Film Critics Association
  • Best Foreign Language Film, National Society of Film Critics
  • Best Picture, National Society of Film Critics
  • Best Picture, Israeli Academy Awards

The copyright of the article Waltz with Bashir - Memory of a Massacre in Foreign Films is owned by Barbara DeGrande. Permission to republish Waltz with Bashir - Memory of a Massacre in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
Palestinians, ali110 Palestinians
   
What do you think about this article?
NOTE: Because you are not a Suite101 member, your comment will be moderated before it is viewable.
post your comment
What is 0+2?