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Using 300 hours of footage shot over three years, this extraordinary and thought-provoking documentary follows a battle-hardened Afghan Brigadier General Sayar and the friendship he develops with an American Colonel enlisted with helping him turn ragtag groups of uncertain, impoverished men into a trained, standing Afghan National Army.
This unexpected camaraderie is captured between them despite Sayar s growing exasperation with the US, and their growing friendship reveals the human cost of an impossible policy. The film is an intimate, realistic account of the constant cultural and professional conflicts between the Afghans and the visiting armies. While lack of trust runs strong, stronger are the tight emotional bonds sometimes formed between leaders in the rebuilding of a nation despite political and social barriers.
Review
If you watch only one film on Afghanistan, make it Camp Victory, Afghanistan. You will have a front row seat for the most crucial U.S. military mission in Afghanistan and you will have a back row seat to view the big picture of this crucial mission in one of the most failed societies in the world --Huffington Post
excellent and thought-provoking --Variety
An astounding documentary --Human Rights Watch
excellent and thought-provoking --Variety
An astounding documentary --Human Rights Watch
excellent and thought-provoking --Variety
An astounding documentary --Human Rights Watch
excellent and thought-provoking --Variety
An astounding documentary --Human Rights Watch
excellent and thought-provoking --Variety
An astounding documentary --Human Rights Watch
excellent and thought-provoking --Variety
An astounding documentary --Human Rights Watch
excellent and thought-provoking --Variety
An astounding documentary --Human Rights Watch
excellent and thought-provoking --Variety
An astounding documentary --Human Rights Watch
excellent and thought-provoking --Variety
An astounding documentary --Human Rights Watch
excellent and thought-provoking --Variety
An astounding documentary --Human Rights Watch
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
********CONTAINS SOME SPOILERS********
Shot over 3 years and using over 300 hours of film, this documentary gives us a different perspective of the current conflict in Afghanistan to the recent ultra realistic front line documentaries "Restrepo" and "Armadillo". There is no front line action in this film apart from some telling stills of vehicles blown apart by bomb blasts. This film concentrates on the relationship between Afghan General Fazil Ahmad Sayer, a man brought up in the cauldron of war that has been Afghanistan for the last three decades, and his American National Guard advisors. General Sayer comes across as a realistic and honourable man given an impossible job. His newly formed Afghan Army recruits are largely ill disciplined, illiterate and in some cases simply corrupt. Many have come from Pakistan simply for better pay. Is this the sort of motive that holds the thin red line together when the drums begin to roll? I think not! They are given conflicting orders by different commanders. The cultural differences are painfully obvious. They fight an unseen enemy who are often supported by the local populace who live in fear of Taliban reprisals. Sayer is a realist who knows that his task is hopeless yet he never deviates from his course.
Director Carole Dysinger has given us a documentary with a strong ring of truth to it. Three years is a long time to build trust which she clearly managed to do. She is allowed access to meetings with local warlords and military briefings with American Special Forces present. This slowly builds up a true picture of the difficulties faced by troops in Afghanistan. The country is still rife with feuding tribalism which at times resembles the gangster wars in thirties Chicago. Some of the faces that appear are no longer alive! It is quite clear that this situation will not be resolved when the time comes for the Americans to pull out, as their top brass are painfully aware of judging from recent comments. Tragically General Sayer died in a helicopter crash. This film is an honest portrait of a decent man, and the genuine relationships he built with his National Guard advisors from Vermont. Did I imagine a tear in the eye of one tough looking advisor? I sincerely hope so! A documentary that has something profound to say!
Shot over 3 years and using over 300 hours of film, this documentary gives us a different perspective of the current conflict in Afghanistan to the recent ultra realistic front line documentaries "Restrepo" and "Armadillo". There is no front line action in this film apart from some telling stills of vehicles blown apart by bomb blasts. This film concentrates on the relationship between Afghan General Fazil Ahmad Sayer, a man brought up in the cauldron of war that has been Afghanistan for the last three decades, and his American National Guard advisors. General Sayer comes across as a realistic and honourable man given an impossible job. His newly formed Afghan Army recruits are largely ill disciplined, illiterate and in some cases simply corrupt. Many have come from Pakistan simply for better pay. Is this the sort of motive that holds the thin red line together when the drums begin to roll? I think not! They are given conflicting orders by different commanders. The cultural differences are painfully obvious. They fight an unseen enemy who are often supported by the local populace who live in fear of Taliban reprisals. Sayer is a realist who knows that his task is hopeless yet he never deviates from his course.
Director Carole Dysinger has given us a documentary with a strong ring of truth to it. Three years is a long time to build trust which she clearly managed to do. She is allowed access to meetings with local warlords and military briefings with American Special Forces present. This slowly builds up a true picture of the difficulties faced by troops in Afghanistan. The country is still rife with feuding tribalism which at times resembles the gangster wars in thirties Chicago. Some of the faces that appear are no longer alive! It is quite clear that this situation will not be resolved when the time comes for the Americans to pull out, as their top brass are painfully aware of judging from recent comments. Tragically General Sayer died in a helicopter crash. This film is an honest portrait of a decent man, and the genuine relationships he built with his National Guard advisors from Vermont. Did I imagine a tear in the eye of one tough looking advisor? I sincerely hope so! A documentary that has something profound to say!
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
6 reviews
Afghanistan
3 Nov 2011
So well done! To the producer, director and no doubt the energy behind the film....thank you for taking your time in a dangerous place to bring the realism and challenges of Afghanistan.
Fire Base Gardez, Paktia Province, Afghanistan/2003
Although, I never had the opportunity to travel in the western portions of Afghanistan, Herat at the time was under the control of Ismael Khan; from what I understood..at that time, a relatively secure environment.
My travels were primarily within Paktia with time in Khost and Ghazni Provinces. There was little or no ANA presence during my time in Afghanistan, so I cannot comment on my experience relative to the ANA or the ANP competence.
The film highlights the challenges in Afghanistan from an advisory and training mission. Tribalism, geography, dialects, ethnic differences and a host of other dis-similarities made me believe from the many times meeting local and tribal leaders...that we were just "passing through"...and they knew that back then.
I can recall a meeting enroute back to Paktia from meeting the Pakistani's on the Afgh-Pakistan border. The meeting was deep into Afghanistan most rugged mountains..with tiers of opium poppies blossoming in the late May sunshine...as water so finely manicured slowly moved in the furrows of the fields...not one weed could be seen. It truly looked like "afghan heaven on earth". During the course of the meeting, we were offered Coca Cola...responding "hell" yes...the cans were brought in...each nearly frozen with ice inside the can. They had refrigeration...also, nearly new Toyota Hilux 4 by 4 trucks (in much better condition aside from our 240's and M2's).
When the conversation came around to infrastructure development...or, "what can we do for you in the name of the Afghan goverment..", the reply was a resounding.."nothing". Basically...to leave them alone..as they have done for centuries to the time of Kipling's.."The Man That Would Be King" era. Had we said..we were there to eradicate the poppy fields...we would of never made it out alive.
So what's the point relative to the film..a a great film it was: That... the Afghan's unlike (emphasis added) the Tunisian's or the Libyan's or those fighting in Syria really don't care about a unified country...what they care about is the territory as far as they can see. They also what sustained peace...and most just don't care where is come from...one thing the Talian (defined: those who seek religious knowledge..plural) did bring peace as it was to Afghanistan..regardless of women's right or other.
In the end, while the totally corrupt Afghan leaders flee to their 35 million dollars Palm Island estates in Dubai, the people of Afghanistan will side with the momentum which provides for security. And that..has been the objective to the Taliban...not to allow security to prevail. And, unfortunately, from..it looks as though through all the efforts of the Soldiers, Marines, SF and the other ISAF troopers...success as defined a peace remains on the far side.
Remember..we are all "just passing through Afghanistan"....and the locals know and understand that fact.
To All/Salaam!
Again, Carol and staff..wonderful presentation..thank you.
[...]
Fire Base Gardez, Paktia Province, Afghanistan/2003
Although, I never had the opportunity to travel in the western portions of Afghanistan, Herat at the time was under the control of Ismael Khan; from what I understood..at that time, a relatively secure environment.
My travels were primarily within Paktia with time in Khost and Ghazni Provinces. There was little or no ANA presence during my time in Afghanistan, so I cannot comment on my experience relative to the ANA or the ANP competence.
The film highlights the challenges in Afghanistan from an advisory and training mission. Tribalism, geography, dialects, ethnic differences and a host of other dis-similarities made me believe from the many times meeting local and tribal leaders...that we were just "passing through"...and they knew that back then.
I can recall a meeting enroute back to Paktia from meeting the Pakistani's on the Afgh-Pakistan border. The meeting was deep into Afghanistan most rugged mountains..with tiers of opium poppies blossoming in the late May sunshine...as water so finely manicured slowly moved in the furrows of the fields...not one weed could be seen. It truly looked like "afghan heaven on earth". During the course of the meeting, we were offered Coca Cola...responding "hell" yes...the cans were brought in...each nearly frozen with ice inside the can. They had refrigeration...also, nearly new Toyota Hilux 4 by 4 trucks (in much better condition aside from our 240's and M2's).
When the conversation came around to infrastructure development...or, "what can we do for you in the name of the Afghan goverment..", the reply was a resounding.."nothing". Basically...to leave them alone..as they have done for centuries to the time of Kipling's.."The Man That Would Be King" era. Had we said..we were there to eradicate the poppy fields...we would of never made it out alive.
So what's the point relative to the film..a a great film it was: That... the Afghan's unlike (emphasis added) the Tunisian's or the Libyan's or those fighting in Syria really don't care about a unified country...what they care about is the territory as far as they can see. They also what sustained peace...and most just don't care where is come from...one thing the Talian (defined: those who seek religious knowledge..plural) did bring peace as it was to Afghanistan..regardless of women's right or other.
In the end, while the totally corrupt Afghan leaders flee to their 35 million dollars Palm Island estates in Dubai, the people of Afghanistan will side with the momentum which provides for security. And that..has been the objective to the Taliban...not to allow security to prevail. And, unfortunately, from..it looks as though through all the efforts of the Soldiers, Marines, SF and the other ISAF troopers...success as defined a peace remains on the far side.
Remember..we are all "just passing through Afghanistan"....and the locals know and understand that fact.
To All/Salaam!
Again, Carol and staff..wonderful presentation..thank you.
[...]
Outstanding documentary
28 Oct 2011
Outstanding documentary that shows day to day issues faced by a mentoring team in Afghanistan. Ms Dysinger does a nice job showing the extremely complex non-kinetic side of the war, and how both Coalition and Afghan Soldiers work through multiple rotations.
Excellent Insightful Film
27 Oct 2011
Our unit is preparing to deploy to Afghanistan. We viewed the film as partr of our training to work with the Afghan Security Forces. The film provided some interesting perspectives on the Afghan leadership and the challenges of training and equipping these forces. This film was an excellent training tool. I would highly recommend this film to anyone who is deploying to Afghanistan or anyone who has an interest in the present and future of Afghanistan.
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