Sons & Soldiers

This series of four three-minute films comprises a commentary on the issue of the contemporary army and its activities. The cycle begins with a party in a mining club in south Wales on the evening before a young man joins the army. The enthusiasm and pride present at this event then suddenly changes to an uncompromising clip of a woman reading the last letter from her son, who was killed in Iraq. Another profile shows the post-traumatic experiences of men who have returned directly from the front line. At the very end, the film returns once again to the party. A procession of proud parents look at the colourful uniforms of their offspring, who have just been officially accepted for the army. The conciseness of the film and the choice of the most important moments from the life of a soldier evoke a chilling feeling. The initial ideals and visions of a manly occupation offering security and good pay abruptly disintegrate.