'Occupation: Dreamland' is a melancholy portrait of a squad of the US Army's 82nd Airborne deployed in the doomed Iraqi city of Falluja during the winter of 2004. A collective study of the squad unfolds as they cope with an environment of low-intensity conflict and confusion creeping steadily towards catastrophe. Through the squad's activities, 'Occupation: Dreamland' provides a vital glimpse into the last days of Falluja before a final series of assaults began in the spring of 2004 that
effectively destroyed the city. The result is a revealing, sometimes surprising look at Army life, operations and the complexity of American war in the 21st century.
The occupation may have settled into grim, bloody drudgery. But if we're going to learn anything about the place and our involvement there, films about it can't join suit.
A compelling mosaic of voices, some discouraged, some enthusiastic, all aware that there's a job to be done and that they must do it to the best of their abilities.
Lets the soldiers speak for themselves in a series of interviews that reveal wildly divergent political stands, although pretty much all the soldiers voice doubts about why, exactly, they are there.
The thoughts and experiences captured in this film reveal much that we haven't seen in all the action-oriented news footage and short-term embedded correspondence from the war.
The enlisted men speak frankly of their feelings about the job that they signed on to do and carry out their missions even though they don't have the big picture information.
The documentary is fair and poignant, and doesn't rely on explosions. You feel for the people involved, even though they are far from the best sort. It has very good editing and indicates a dedicated post-production. There are a lot of elements of artistry in the film, and the parallels are exploited. This film does a
good job of combining its artistic and temporal aspects. It doesn't say much that isn't known, however. I still recommend it, though, if you have some spare time.
was expecting a documentary on the fall of Falluja, made by filmmakers who just happened to be in the ill-fated Iraqi city when it was obliterated by U.S. Marines in the spring of 2004. But that's not at all what this film is about. Instead, Occupation: Dreamland is an intimate account of a particular group of soldiers
in a specific time and place in the Iraq war. So don't walk into the theater expecting to have all of your questions about Iraq answered. But you will learn about a handful of American soldiers and how they perceive the war and their particular situation. Most of them understand that this isn't a war for liberation. They were smart enough to realize that this war, like all war, is about money and control. Still, these are hardworking and honest soldiers, and as such, they'll faithfully follow their orders and execute their duties, whether they believe in what they're doing or not. So no, you won't see a first-hand account of the destruction of Falluja, but you will meet eight or so men who will give you a deeper understanding of the American soldiers today.
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