Just Another Day in the Homeland

An entertaining documentary shot with the pace and nonchalance of a home movie. John Maringouin shot the film during the first period of the latest war against Iraq. He filmed on the streets in his own surroundings, observed how people reacted to events and interviewed ordinary people about their land at war. The film examines the horrors and the major effects of a war like this, but is also satirical and remarkably light in tone throughout. For instance, it incorporates dreamlike collages that provide an almost psychedelic view of the world stage. A world that in every respect is far removed from Americans and that for them only really exists as a television reality. The peaceful nature of the pleasant climes of California in the spring forms a great contrast with the bombarded cities of the enemy. After the first bombs fell on Baghdad, a group of people watch Triumf des Willens, the old Nazi propaganda film by Leni Riefenstahl. An unreal contrast, yet also one with strange similarities. Coincidences such as this (Maringouin was taken by surprise by the war, in a manner of speaking) lift the film beyond a simple impression of a people that so easily marches to war. Maringouin filmed chronologically, so that foreground and background (homefront and war) mix in a natural way. (GjZ)