Summaries

Danish soldiers are sent to Afghanistan in 2009 for 6 months, to help stabilize the country against the Taliban. They're stationed on Armadillo military base in Helman province. Unlike other war movies, this is the real deal - no actors.

In February of 2009, a group of Danish soldiers accompanied by documentarian Janus Metz arrived at Armadillo, an army base in the southern Afghan province of Helmand. Metz and cinematographer Lars Skree spent six months following the lives of young soldiers situated less than a kilometre from Taliban positions. The result of their work is a gripping and highly authentic war drama that was justly awarded the Grand Prix de la Semaine de la Critique at the 2010 Cannes film festival. But it also provoked furious debate in Denmark concerning the controversial behavior of certain Danish soldiers during a shoot-out with Taliban fighters. The film-makers repeatedly risked their lives shooting this tense, brilliantly edited, and visually sophisticated probe into the psychology of young men in the midst of a senseless war whose victims are primarily local villagers. Yet more disturbing than scenes in which Taliban bullets whiz past their cameras is the footage of the young soldiers as each tries, in his own way, to come to terms with putting his life constantly on the line.—Karlovy Vary International Film Festival

Details

Keywords
  • soldier
  • taliban
  • afghan war
  • denmark
  • danish soldier
Genres
  • War
  • Documentary
Release date May 26, 2010
Motion Picture Rating (MPA) Not Rated
Countries of origin Denmark Sweden
Official sites Official site
Language Danish
Filming locations Helmand Province, Afghanistan
Production companies Fridthjof Film

Box office

Budget $1500000
Gross US & Canada $14566
Opening weekend US & Canada $3958
Gross worldwide $2018685

Tech specs

Runtime 1h 45m
Color Color
Sound mix Dolby Digital
Aspect ratio 2.35 : 1

Synopsis

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