Anderson Platoon

Anderson Platoon scenes took place in the jungles of Vietnam during the war between South and North Vietnam. I was captivated by the insider's camera into the missions of the platoon as they go into a dangerous territory to seek out the Viet Cong. As one soldier was introduced as the cameraman, each soldier was introduced by his location and a close up of their faces.

The core of a film is how the camera operator portray and display the storyline. The camera operation is the adventure of the piece. If someone is hired as the camera operator, he or she must have the heart and risk to go beyond the story. I gravitated to the camera action by this insider in this film as well the recently Oscar nominated documentary short "Karama Has No Walls" when a young man witnessed tragedy and involved in a conflict scene. I read and admire characters of the camera who became near to death and overcome barriers from political struggles, animal encounters, sickness, and catastrophes. I loved the biographical story of "Stories We Tell" by Sarah Polley as she was integrated into the story.

The second successful part of the film is the music. The music is the accent; punctuates the audience to be pulled into the film.

I believe that this film was viewed to make a basis for blockbuster films as "Saving Private Ryan" and other war films.

On a personal note, scenes of the film gave me a sense of comfort and understanding. I felt that I was there - technically I was. My mother left Vietnam in April 1975 while I reside in her womb on an airplane. We almost didn't make it. Thank you to my youngest aunt and military officer of their quick thinking.

My mother told me that she never witnessed the war scenes because she lived in a protective environment. Yet the sounds of war cradle my existence. I am a product of war and peace. We existed due to our past. I must love documentaries due to their content - the arrow to my heart. I heard horror stories after the war to the ones who stayed after South Vietnam fell to the communism. I am grateful everyday of my existence. My mother never told yet hinted - I heard from my stepfather who is my father - how her cousins, aunts, and uncles left by boat; then they were raped, killed, and left for dead by pirates. There is sadness and gratitude in my past. I have respect for the soldiers who fought in this war.