I don't understand war

Rating: 7/10 (14 June 2011)

As a Japanese student I am not old enough to remember my country's own experience with war and after watching this movie I am glad that I know little of war. It is different than many of the American war movies that seem to glorify battles. This movie does not make a statement about whether war is good or not, it just shows the sadness of war.
Based on the historical Battle of Algiers it shows the real cost of war and the price of freedom. In using the boy who helps Ali by reading for him the director shows how his generation is literally needed to help the cause, but the metaphor is about how the movement needs the younger generation to succeed. The director does not really concentrate on the ultimate outcome of the war, just the horror of the battle and that it pretty unique for a war film.
This film is still relevant because so many countries around the world are involved in their own fight for freedom. It is not saying war is good, just that it is tough and the way that they are fought is very sad.