From Boy to Soldier

Rating: 9/10 (5 June 2012)

Directed by Elem Klimov, "Come and See" gave me a new perspective on World War 2, that of the Russians and the villages that were slaughtered by the Germans. This film is a psychological horror drama that evokes the person inside us who wants to fight against evil. It offers a different view point of war in general, of how brutal it can be. While watching this picture, you can't tell yourself 'it's just a movie' because it actually happened.
The story follows a coming of age Russian, Flyora, who became a soldier overnight. His mother begs for him to stay at home with her and his two sisters but comes to no avail. He finds himself in the forest, holding down the camp site under the orders of Kosach, his leader. Flyora meets Glasho, a tag-along who longs for Kosach but for the time being, settles with the young soldier. After kissing, laughing, telling stories of old, the forest gets bombed by the German's and they experience heavy artillery fire.
Flyora and Glasho make their way to Flora's village. Upon arrival, something is mysteriously wrong and dampening. Flyora's mom, two sisters, and the rest of the village are nowhere to be found. Flyora decides to head towards a nearby island under the suspicion that he'll find his family there. As they leave, Glasho looks back at a house apart of the village and sees multiple bodies piled on each other.
After reaching the island, Flyora separates from Glasho to find food and water for the survivors of his village. His journey is cut short by a German invasion of another village. He witnesses hundreds of people who are burned alive and by the slimmest of margins, avoids this tragedy. Kosach and the rest of the soldiers hunt down the Germans and get their revenge. Living through these acts of evil, a part of Flyora has died along with his mom and two sisters (the kid within himself). After bandaging his wounded rifle, he rejoins his troops for the first time, not as a boy, but as a soldier.
This films effect on me will last a life time. When Glasho turns back to see the dead bodies piled on each other, I immediately knew I'd never forget it. Most people are aware of how costly World War 2 was, the persecution of the Jews, and the American soldiers that were lost... "Come and See" will fill in the blank for the unknown, leaving its audiences in shock of the pasts haunting reality.