Director: Tonje Hessen Schei
Drone
Rating: 4/5
We have already been treated to a whole host of terrific documentary movies so far this year, and Drone is another that isn't to be missed this weekend.
Drone marks the returns of Tonje Hessen Schei to the director's chair and comes after she made waves with Independent Intervention and Play Again.
This time she is exploring the covert world of drone warfare, with a movie that lifts the curtain like never before; it really is an incredibly interesting watch.
Drone covers diverse and integral ground: from the recruitment of young pilots at gaming conventions and the re-definition of 'going to war', to the moral stance of engineers behind the technology, the world leaders giving the secret 'green light' to engage in the biggest targeted killing program in history, and the people willing to stand up against the violations of civil liberties and fight for transparency, accountability and justice.
This is just the beginning. In the midst of fast advancement of technology and lagging international legislation, the film shows how drones change wars and possibly our future.
The drone project is a controversial one and one that has produced some heated debate over the years - it is ethically right? Or should we fight more wars this way because it keeps more of our armed personnel out of harm's way?
Drone is not a movie that argues for or against this kind of stealth warfare, instead, Schei has constructed a riveting, interesting, and intelligent documentary that looks at the pros and cons of both sides.
Using interviews and archive footage, this movie delves deep into the world of the drone exploring their history and where they currently fit into the military system. There is no denying that in some instances drone use has been highly effective.
However, Schei also delves into the other side of the argument as we hear from those who have been injured by drones and by those in the military who have been at the controls.
It is this side of the film that really has the most power as we see the devastating impact drone warfare has had on these lives - those who have suffered physical injury or those in the military who have piloted them and have suffered from PTSD as a result.
All warfare has consequences and casualties and yet we have heard so little of this from drone warfare over the years. Drone really does start to lift the lid on this kind of warfare and give the audiences a better understanding.
This is not a piece of propaganda that is designed to sway you for or against. Instead, Schei has delivered a fascinating and balanced movie that really explores this unknown world like never before.