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Body of War
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Wikipedia article
'Body of War' is a 2007 documentary film about Iraq War veteran Tomas Young. 'Bill Moyers Journal' featured a one-hour special about 'Body of War' including interviews with filmmakers Ellen Spiro and Phil Donahue.
Summary
Shocked by the September 11 attacks Tomas Young wants to defend his country and subsequently he joins the United States Armed Forces. As a soldier he is sent to Iraq and soon after his arrival a marksman's bullet maims him. Intercut with his personal story is footage from Congressional proceedings in Washington, D.C. which led to this controversial war.
Accolades
*Shortlisted for an Oscar nomination from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.Melidonian, Teni. [http://www.oscars.org/press/pressreleases/2007/07.11.19.html 15 Docs Move Ahead in 2007 Oscar Race] Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences official website. 2007-11-19. Retrieved on 2007-12-3.
*Best Documentary (National Board of Review of Motion Pictures)
*People's Choice Award at the Toronto International Film Festival.[http://www.tiffreviews.com/2007/film-profile?fid=175 TIFFReviews, 2007 edition] Retrieved on 10/29/07.
*Audience Award for Best Documentary at the Hamptons International Film Festival.[http://hamptonsfilmfest.org/?m=200710 2007 Hamptons International Film Festival Awards] Hamptons International Film Festival official website. Retrieved on 10/29/07.
Critical reception
'Time' assessed the documentary as "superb" and "very moving".Corliss, Richard. [https://web.archive.org/web/20070915092402/http://www.time.com/time/arts/article/0,8599,1660934,00.html 9/11 at the Toronto Film Festival.] 'Time' magazine. 2007-9-11. Retrieved on 2007-11/29. 'The Washington Post' considered the documentary well-told, upsetting and "ferocious".Anderson, John. [https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/04/03/AR2008040303425.html 'Body of War': Probing a Nation's Wounds] "The Washington Post". 2008-4-4. Retrieved on 2009-3-29. 'The Hollywood Reporter' certified "'Body of War'" was special among other antiwar documentaries for its "identification" with one particular human fate.DeFore John. [https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/awards_festivals/fest_reviews/article_display.jsp?&rid=9864 A Wounded Soldier Turns Anti-War Campaigner in Docu Co-Directed by First-Timer Phil Donahue.] 'The Hollywood Reporter'. 2007-9-19. Retrieved on 2007-11/29. 'Moving Pictures' agreed the film "secures its strength" by that.Elliot V. Kotek [http://www.movingpicturesmagazine.com/reviews/movies/bodyofwar Body of War] 'Moving Pictures Magazine'. 2008. Retrieved on 2009-4/2. The 'Los Angeles Times' described this narrative as a "heartbreaking account" and moreover spoke of a strong indictment of "the tactical politics that led to the invasion".Chocano, Carina. [https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/la-et-body25apr25,0,3917419.story Body of War] "The Los Angeles Times". 2008-4-25. Retrieved on 2009-3/29. 'The Boston Globe' and 'The Kansas City Star' also called it "heartbreaking".Morris, Wesley. [https://www.boston.com/movies/display?display=movie&id=11696 War, and No Peace, for One Soldier.] 'Boston Globe'. 2008-4-11. Retrieved on 2009-4/2.Butler, Robert. [http://videos.kansascity.com/vmix_hosted_apps/p/media?id=1751768&item_index=40&genre_id=1647 Body of War] KansasCity.com. 2008-3-4. Retrieved on 2009-4/2 The 'Toronto Star' appreciated protagonist Tomas Young as a "fascinating, charismatic character".Knelman, Martin. [https://www.thestar.com/entertainment/article/255105 Paralyzed Vet Soldiering on as an Anti-War Icon.] 'The Toronto Star'. 2007-9-11. Retrieved on 2007-11/29. 'The Philadelphia Inquirer' stated Young's filmic portrait was a "complex profile in courage".Rickey, Carrie. [http://www.philly.com/inquirer/columnists/carrie_rickey/20080502_Soldier_s_story_of_war_in_Iraq_hurts__moves.html Soldier's Story of War in Iraq Hurts, Moves.] "The Philadelphia Inquirer". 2008-5-2. Retrieved on 2009-3/28. 'The Austin Chronicle' said "'Body of War'" was "affecting" and a "cinematic argument against the war".Savlov, Marc. [http://www.austinchronicle.com/gyrobase/Calendar/Film?Film=oid%3a600985 Body of War]. 'Austin Chronicle'. 2008-3-14. Retrieved on 2009-4/2. 'TV Guide' resumed it was a "powerful film".Fox, Ken. [http://movies.tvguide.com/body-war/review/293330 Body of War.] 'TV Guide'. 2008. Retrieved on 2009-4/2.
Media coverage
*Moyers, Bill. [https://www.pbs.org/moyers/journal/03212008/profile.html Bill Moyers Journal . BODY OF WAR | PBS] pbs.org/moyers 2008-03-21. Retrieved on 2008-3-29.
*Zeitchik, Steven. [https://www.variety.com/article/VR1117968196.html?categoryid=13&cs=1 Donahue's 'Body' Builds Buzz: Talkshow Icon's Documentary Sparks Interest.] Variety. 2007-7-8. Retrieved on 2007-7-12.
*Goodman, Amy. [http://www.democracynow.org/2008/3/25/body_of_war_new_doc_tells 'Democracy Now' interview with Phil Donahue and Ellen Spiro] Democracy Now. 2008-3-25.Goodman, Amy. [http://www.democracynow.org/2008/3/25/body_of_war_new_doc_tells 'Democracy Now' interview with Phil Donahue and Ellen Spiro] Democracy Now. 2008-3-25. Retrieved on 2009-4/2.
*Gillette, Felix. [https://web.archive.org/web/20070627043707/http://www.observer.com/2007/phil-donahue-strikes-back Phil Donahue Strikes Back.] The New York Observer. 2007-6-19. Retrieved on 2007-6-25.
*Donahue, Phil. [https://www.huffingtonpost.com/phil-donahue/body-of-war_b_52505.html Body of War.] The Huffington Post. 2007-6-17. Retrieved on 2007-6-25.
*Kluger, Bruce. [https://web.archive.org/web/20081011085536/http://www.bodyofwar.com/usa-today.php Films No Longer Wait for History.] USA Today. 2007-10-31.Kluger, Bruce. [http://www.bodyofwar.com/usa-today.php Films No Longer Wait for History] USA Today. 2007-10-31. Retrieved on 2009-4/2.
*Friedman, Roger. [http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,232057,00.html Phil Donahue Makes Anti-War Film.] FoxNews.com. 2006-11-27. Retrieved on 2007-6-25.
*Celizic, Mike. [https://web.archive.org/web/20080402005001/http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23884161/ Phil Donahue Unveils Documentary on Wounded GI] Today. MSNBC.com. 2008-4-1.Celizic, Mike.
[https://web.archive.org/web/20080402005001/http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23884161/ Phil Donahue Unveils Documentary on Wounded GI] Today. MSNBC.com. 2008-4-1. Retrieved on 2009-4-2.
*[http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/movies/2008/04/06/2008-04-06_next_on_phil_donahue_body_of_war.html Next on Phil Donahue: 'Body of War'] 'New York Daily News'. 2008-4-5.[http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/movies/2008/04/06/2008-04-06_next_on_phil_donahue_body_of_war.html] New York Daily News. 2008-4-5. Retrieved on 2009-4/2.
*Silverman, Jason. [http://blog.wired.com/underwire/2008/02/donahue-tackles.html Donahue Tackles Iraq in Body of War]. Wired.Silverman, Jason. [http://blog.wired.com/underwire/2008/02/donahue-tackles.html Donahue Tackles Iraq in Body of War] Wired. 2008-2-21. Retrieved on 2009-4-2.
*Niles Folsom, Chandra. [http://mediabistro.com/articles/cache/a9710.asp So What Do You Do, Phil Donahue?] MediaBistro.com. 2007-6-6. Retrieved on 2007-6-25.
*Powers, Ann. [https://articles.latimes.com/2008/apr/20/entertainment/ca-body20 A War Vet's Unlikely Seat in the Spotlight] Los Angeles Times. 2008-4-20.Powers, Ann.[https://articles.latimes.com/2008/apr/20/entertainment/ca-body20A War Vet's Unlikely Seat in the Spotlight] Los Angeles Times. 2008-4-20. Retrieved on 2009-4-2.
*Newman, Laura. [http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/2889 Interview: Ellen Spiro (co-director for 'Body of War')] Ioncinema.com. 2008-4-18.Newman, Laura. [http://www.ioncinema.com/news/id/2889 Interview: Ellen Spiro (co-director for 'Body of War')] Ioncinema.com. 2008-4-18. Retrieved on 2009-4/2.
*Priesmeyer, Molly. [http://www.minnesotamonitor.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=4014 Tomas Young of 'Body of War' Continues his Fight]. Minnesota Monitor. 2008-5-16.Priesmeyer, Molly. [http://www.minnesotamonitor.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=4014 Tomas Young of 'Body of War' Continues his Fight]. Minnesota Monitor. 2008-5-16. Retrieved on 2009-4/2.
*Frehsee, Nicole. [https://web.archive.org/web/20080306220710/http://www.rollingstone.com/rockdaily/index.php/2008/03/06/body-of-war-subject-on-meeting-eddie-vedder-compiling-soundtrack-sxsw-premiere/ 'Body of War' Hero Talks Eddie Vedder, SXSW Premiere] Rolling Stone. 2008-3-6.Frehsee, Nicole. [https://web.archive.org/web/20080306220710/http://www.rollingstone.com/rockdaily/index.php/2008/03/06/body-of-war-subject-on-meeting-eddie-vedder-compiling-soundtrack-sxsw-premiere/ 'Body of War' Hero Talks Eddie Vedder, SXSW Premiere] Rolling Stone. 2008-3-6. Retrieved on 2009-4/2.
Soundtrack
The double-CD compilation of songs curated by Iraq war veteran Tomas Young, was released by Sire Records on March 18, 2008 two days before the fifth anniversary of the United States' invasion of Iraq.
A [https://web.archive.org/web/20080711131659/http://www.bodyofwarmusic.com/ 'Body of War' music site] was created to provide special features and related links.
Track listing
Disc one
#Brendan James "Hero's Song"
#Lupe Fiasco "American Terrorist" (Fiasco, Prolyfic, Armando Corea) 4:40
#Michael Franti & Spearhead "Light Up Ya Lighter" (Franti, Itiene) 4:57
#Rage Against the Machine "Guerrilla Radio" 3:26
#Public Enemy "Son of a Bush" 5:52
#Serj Tankian "Empty Walls" (Tankian) 3:49
#Bad Religion "Let Them Eat War" (Brian Baker, Jay Bentley, Sage Francis, Brett Gurewitz, Brooks Wackerman) 2:57
#Against Me! "White People for Peace" (Tom Gabel) 3:33
#The Bouncing Souls "Letter from Iraq" (The Bouncing Souls, Garett Reppenhagen) 2:57
#Dilated Peoples "War" (Questlove)
#Rx Bandits "Overcome (The Recapitulation)" 3:46
#No Use for a Name "Fields of Agony" 2:24
#Talib Kweli & Cornel West "Bushonomics"
#Immortal Technique "The 4th Branch" 5:20
#System of a Down "B.Y.O.B." (Daron Malakian, Casey Chaos, Serj Tankian) 4:17
#Eddie Vedder & Ben Harper "No More" [Live]
Disc two
#Bruce Springsteen "Devils & Dust" (Springsteen) 4:58
#Pearl Jam "Masters of War" [Live] (Bob Dylan)
#Bright Eyes "When the President Talks to God" (Conor Oberst) 2:46
#John Lennon "Gimme Some Truth" (Lennon) 3:16
#Neil Young "The Restless Consumer"
#The Nightwatchman "Battle Hymns"
#Kimya Dawson "Anthrax"
#Blow Up Hollywood "WMD"
#David Ford "State of the Union" (Ford)
#Tori Amos "Yo George" (Amos) 1:25
#Laura Cantrell "Love Vigilantes"
#Ben Harper "Black Rain" (Ben Harper/Jason Yates)
#Roger Waters "To Kill the Child"
#Tom Waits "Day After Tomorrow" (Kathleen Brennan, Waits)
References
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