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1. Hell and Back Again clip
2 years ago
facebook.com/HellandBackAgainTheMovie
twitter.com/danfung
What does it mean to lead men in war? What does it mean to come home? Hell and Back Again is a cinematically revolutionary film that asks and answers these questions with a power and intimacy no previous film about the conflict in Afghanistan has been able to achieve.
In this groundbreaking work of cinema, two overlapping narratives are brilliantly intercut – the life of a Marine at war on the front, and the life the same Marine in recovery, at home – creating both a dreamlike quality and a strikingly realistic depiction of how Marines experience this war.
Following Sergeant Nathan Harris of Echo Company, 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, during a major assault on a Taliban stronghold, and his painful return home after a severe injury, the two stories communicate both the extraordinary drama of war and the no less shocking experience of returning home, as a whole generation of Marines struggle to find an identity in a country that prefers to be indifferent.
twitter.com/danfung
What does it mean to lead men in war? What does it mean to come home? Hell and Back Again is a cinematically revolutionary film that asks and answers these questions with a power and intimacy no previous film about the conflict in Afghanistan has been able to achieve.
In this groundbreaking work of cinema, two overlapping narratives are brilliantly intercut – the life of a Marine at war on the front, and the life the same Marine in recovery, at home – creating both a dreamlike quality and a strikingly realistic depiction of how Marines experience this war.
Following Sergeant Nathan Harris of Echo Company, 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, during a major assault on a Taliban stronghold, and his painful return home after a severe injury, the two stories communicate both the extraordinary drama of war and the no less shocking experience of returning home, as a whole generation of Marines struggle to find an identity in a country that prefers to be indifferent.
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Best Documentary Feature!
highlighted on planet5D blog.planet5d.com/tma
Looking forward to seeing this.
The use of the Glidecam really sets this apart.
Can't wait to see the doc.
Musical choices aside, I am intrigued to see this. The dangerous reality of war has seldom been presented with such a cinematic look.
Our sense of 'reality' in media aesthetic will probably only shift more as time marches on.
great interview, plus pictures of the rig!
Peace
One caveat - PLEASE consider dialing back on the score, though - your previous video that was just location sound was far more compelling than hearing the same old Hollywood-style score for the zillionth time. The situation is plenty harrowing as-is, I don't need an over-the-top chorus and orchestra to tell me how to feel about it. It actually turns me off from really engaging with the images and the people you've captured here.
cheers
How did you keep focus on most of those shots? I'm thinking you had to keep it at F11 or something... also, I saw a picture of your rig but didn't see an external monitor. Did you use one?
Great work! can't wait to see the whole thing.
Go under embedding and have the link to the website popup after it is done playing.
anthonylukephotography.blogspot.com/2009/10/filmaker-uses-canon-5d-mkii-to-shoot.html
Amazing work, insanely courageous. Can't wait to see the completed doc!
being honest though... documentary to me, shouldn't have that type of music in it.
What is the music?
In response to Jed, Oedi, and Abas, I agree with you about the music. The composer I had originally hired did not meet my expectations, but to meet my deadline, I had to use generic temp music which I think is over the top. I am, however, trying to bring a cinematic look and sound to documentary to reach and engage the widest possible audience about the realities of the war in Afghanistan.
Oc, I kept it at f/2.8 and would rack focus frequently or keep the same distance from the subject. I've posted more on the technical here: battleforheartsandminds.com/about
Kelly and John, you should be very proud of your sons. They are doing their best in a difficult place. You must be looking forward to their safe return.
They'll (soldiers) win a bullet or a bomb and not their hearts and minds.
Understood being a soldier as I was one long time ago.
Still, a little less ARROGANCE and more compassion would go a long way. No wonder people hate Americans, if this is fine example of our behavior.
This is no reflection you as a 'shooter' but what you show in this video how badly the Americans behave.
Yeah, I understand it's a war, but if they piss off one person they just join the other side and may need more body bags as a result.
I've seen the Iraq docu videos as well and all the same. We are Americans and kick your ass attitude by the soldiers. That;s what happens when 20yr olds are in charge and no 'adult' around to tell them this is no way to win anyones heart and mind.
BTW am not a 'Pacifist' but I know proper manners and respect, no matter if it's war or not.
You may want to reconsider the title... or is it a joke?
Nothing personal dude :)
American soldiers overseas are dying for the freedoms we all have on this Planet, God Bless Them. I have seen more arrogance and less compassion from students going to public school in NYC. I am not trying to start an argument, I wanted to add my 2 cents to your 2 cents while we still do have our freedom of speech.
I suppose if I make a gorgeous SNUFF video (killing someone) with a D5 then no one see anything wrong with it... right?
This is like a propaganda video to show the world why people should hate us Americans. I don't blame them one bit. Then, there is the title... it's a total joke dude. Americans are always arrogant overseas and don't even have to be a soldier. Just look around. I see it all the time when am overseas.
"American soldiers are dying for freedom overseas.." comment is about naive as one can get. Yeah, it's gonna be the same as Vietnam where the commies are in control. If you think this will be different, you're dreaming. The Taliban will win in the end by waiting it out. They have the time and not going anywhere. Now that Obama said when we're leaving is on their calendar.
The problem starts with our (miss)-leadership in the US for these 'adventures' for political reasons and getting elected.... regardless of party affiliation.
This is a 'good war' according to Obama.
He got elected.
However, many young people are being americanized through Hollywood movies, and maybe they won't hate americans. Cultural invasion is a very effective weapon.
As a photographer & former serviceman with combat experience, I recognize the type of hype / rhetoric that music videography mentions, it is normally originated by people with no personal experience in combat, let-alone a war zone. I am sure that many soldiers would love to make music videos, many would be poor, some OK, a few great and maybe one or two, superb. How many music videographers are willing to the job of a war correspondent / photographer, let-alone a soldier ?
I take my hat-off to Danfung & ALL servicemen doing their jobs....
Talk of equipment is fun but irrelevant.
I am a bit confused why the M249 SAW had no muzzle flash when shooting. Those flash hiders are not effective and in the video I have shot of 5.56 military ammo it's a very large and noticeable muzzle flash. Did you do something to dim the flash out?
It is a little sickening to hear "we kill civilians all the time" while there is pumped up Hollywood style score blasting.
But maybe that's the point...
This has left me stunned. I've never seen a doc presented in this way before. You are heading in a very new and possibly difficult direction with this. Puritans will reel....
I do see what others are saying about the music though but I get that it's a trailer and not how the finished product will sound.... I hope.
Very impressed
G
Besides that I am eager to see this documentary because it will hopefully provide a realisitic picture of the war in Afghanistan.
Great work. Back when I was in the US Army I was planning to switch my MOS over to doc/production specialist hoping to be in Combat Camera.
I have high respects for what you do Dennis.
As for soldiers, this is capturing honesty. Obviously, we're not all arrogant -- they're the loudest ones and unfortunately, it resonates to reflect the entire Army..
also your trailer is by far the best DSLR video i have seen, did the Glide cam solve all the rolling shutter, really look likes, the effect is almost un-noticeable, thanks again I'm really looking forward to the full doc.
Amazing camera work. And great interview on the Red Centre. Thanks. Looking forward to seeing the finished project.
The hell with the naysayers in your comments, man. I mean, you can't please all the people all the time. Emotional cues with music are fair game, even in the documentary genre. I don't think the music was telling anybody what to think, it just a nudge to say, "feel SOMETHING".
You've been more than fair with showing the opposing viewpoints of the various subjects, which is more objective than anything Michael Moore has ever put out there (who's now RICH, of course).
The work stands for itself, but I cannot wait for the release of Hearts and Minds.
Thank you for being one of the few posters on Vimeo that include workflow information or at least links to where that information can be found.
Epic!
This video really inspired me.
I must reply to the comments made by "music videography" posted above, opinions are like assholes everyone has one. The footage is reality, deal with it.
Just because it plays to your personal ethos doesn't mean it has anything to do with objective reality. I thought the discussion about how unreal photography really is ended about 100 years ago. Read up.
Videography's comments are very thoughtful & perceptive. Doesn't mean you have to agree, but seems like you could use a little more perspective before you pull out the automatic weapons.
Stay safe. Do what is in your heart, but above all, stay safe.
Regards
Mike