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Our War

Name: Our War
Director: Benedetta Argentieri, Claudio Jampaglia, Bruno Chiaravalloti
Released: 2016
Duration: 69 min

Representation Score

6.9/10

Good

2016

Director

Benedetta Argentieri, Claudio Jampaglia, Bruno Chiaravalloti

Runtime

69 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

Our War diverges from typical military cinema by dismantling the traditional soldier archetype. It replaces state-sponsored patriotism with a complex web of ideological actors driven by systemic resistance. The film shifts the focus from traditional state actors to decentralized, internationalist participants. This approach challenges conventional hierarchies of power and nationality. By focusing on individuals who have rejected Western institutional structures, the documentary offers a unique perspective on global conflict shaped by identity and social restructuring.

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Category Breakdown

Does Our War have LGBTQ+ representation?

Fair

The film's setting in Rojava presents a backdrop that challenges traditional Western gender and orientation hierarchies. Although romantic depictions of the protagonists are not central, the context itself subverts these norms.

How does Our War portray gender?

Good

The narrative overturns traditional portrayals of women as passive victims. It highlights female combatants and leaders who wield significant authority and play key roles in the movement.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Our War?

Good

The film breaks away from Anglo-centric clichés by focusing on a multi-ethnic, internationalist conflict. It emphasizes the blending of diverse global identities within a non-Western theater of war.

How does Our War represent religion and culture?

Excellent

The film centers on ideological motivations rather than nationalistic duties. By profiling anti-capitalist activists, it frames the conflict through a lens of systemic resistance and decentralized autonomy.

Does Our War include disability representation?

Minimal

There is no significant evidence regarding the portrayal of visible or invisible disabilities within the documentary's scope.

Present on Screen

Subverts traditional gender roles by showcasing women as capable military and political actors.
Breaks from Western-centric wartime narratives by highlighting a heterogeneous, internationalist coalition.
Focuses on complex ideological motivations rather than standard nationalistic or patriotic military clichés.

Limited or Absent

Could benefit from more specific focus or visible representation of individuals with disabilities.
Could include more explicit LGBTQ+ romantic depictions or personal narratives.

Official Synopsis

Since 2013 more than 30,000 fighters from all over the world have joined the troops of the self-proclaimed Islamic State (Daesh) in Syria. Fighting against them as part of the YPO (Popular Protection Command) in Rojava—in the north of Syria and prevalently Kurdish—are some hundreds of Westerners. This is the story of three of them: a former American marine, an Italian anti capitalist activist, and a Swedish bodyguard.

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