Oscar-nominated documentarian Kirby Dick (Twist of Fate & This film is Not Yet Rated) regularly makes controversial topics the subject of his films. He breaks new ground with his latest film taking on one of the most despicable secrets kept by the U.S. government.
Twenty percent of female soldiers serving in the U.S. military report some sort of sexual assault at some point in their career. Many more, we have to assume, go unreported. This film not only tells their stories but details the stunning lack of response or even sympathy awarded these women by the military. Most of the claims are quickly swept under the table and the women who report the crimes are often the ones who are disciplined and in many cases removed from duty.
The film is as unrelenting as the stories being told, going from one horrific interview to the next, intercut with experts revealing stunning statistics and the history of sexual violence in the armed services. Every member of the audience sat stunned, eyes glued to the screen even after the film was over after hearing all these stories from men and women that didn’t end after the assault or after they left the military. The rates of post traumatic stress for these women are higher than those who saw combat while on duty and lead to a slew of mental health issues and even suicide attempts for years after.
Director Kirby Dick does a wonderful job of providing the platform for these women not only to share their stories and the subsequent cover-up but to also give them another tool in their continued fight for justice. The film is not just a historical record of pain, suffering, and a government cover-up but a call to arms to stop this from happening again to anyone who chooses to dedicate their life to the service of their country.
The Invisible War
Directed by: Kirby Dick
Produced by: Amy Ziering and Tanner King Barklow
http://www.hotdocs.ca//film/title/invisible_war
