In a world bombarded with slickly packaged rhetoric and insulated from reality by an out-of-date and dysfunctional media, this is a refreshing dose of authenticity. More than anything else, it gives the viewer a rich experience of real human beings, who stand in contrast to the vague two-dimensional characters who populate our public imagination.
Clearly, a certain degree of subjectivity creeps into the presentation through the selection of what interviews to publish and how they should be edited. Also, the producers of the film insert file footage from insurgent propaganda and Baath regime atrocities. (herein lies my only caveat: there is some extremely graphic footage). However, I would say at least that if Michael Moore's work is valid documentary, or the TV networks' coverage is valid journalism, this work surpasses both.
Some of the other commentary on IMDb has claimed that too many people in these interviews express 'pro-Bush' sentiments. This is a parochial concept. Expressions of hope and optimism for one's national and personal prospects need not be 'pro-Bush' or even 'pro-American'. Instead, I would submit that what we are seeing is Iraqis' genuine pride and confidence in *their own* people and their commitment to better themselves.
The bottom line is that what the viewer sees is real (and interesting) people expressing their real thoughts and feelings. If these very human stories and images don't evoke your emotion and sympathy, then you should take your stone heart elsewhere.
Clearly, a certain degree of subjectivity creeps into the presentation through the selection of what interviews to publish and how they should be edited. Also, the producers of the film insert file footage from insurgent propaganda and Baath regime atrocities. (herein lies my only caveat: there is some extremely graphic footage). However, I would say at least that if Michael Moore's work is valid documentary, or the TV networks' coverage is valid journalism, this work surpasses both.
Some of the other commentary on IMDb has claimed that too many people in these interviews express 'pro-Bush' sentiments. This is a parochial concept. Expressions of hope and optimism for one's national and personal prospects need not be 'pro-Bush' or even 'pro-American'. Instead, I would submit that what we are seeing is Iraqis' genuine pride and confidence in *their own* people and their commitment to better themselves.
The bottom line is that what the viewer sees is real (and interesting) people expressing their real thoughts and feelings. If these very human stories and images don't evoke your emotion and sympathy, then you should take your stone heart elsewhere.