By: debbie lynn elias
Established producer Patricia Foulkrod steps out of her comfort zone and into the war zone as director and writer of THE GROUND TRUTH – a documentary that takes an at times scathing, yet always compelling, look at the Iraq War from the bumbling of the government to the media and military downplay of casualties – both on and off the battlefield – and particularly those associated with the post-traumatic stress suffered by our American men and women on their return home.
Punctuated with interviews of some 12 Iraq war veterans, including decorated former Marine Sean Huze, Foulkrod comes at us full tilt with both barrels blazing as she brings home the message that are men and women in arms are being treated as if their experiences are just “another day at the office.” Let me assure you, they are not. Interesting light is shed on the military’s alleged 21st century goal of psychological manipulation and training that encourages and promulgates our young soldiers to unquestioningly take a life just because it’s their job and that “it’s okay to kill” even when “not in a state of rage” and even when the victims are civilians, and as seen in one interview, even when carrying a white flag of surrender and peace. The images are horrific. The end result – massive casualties on the homefront with returning soldiers suffering from PTSD and the further woeful and embarrassing failure of the government and military to provide proper and appropriate medical and psychological treatment. For me, this is the most egregious of all conduct. We hear over and over in the media, the grand and glorious reports of injured press being air-lifted and treated with modern day miracles of medicine. But what about our soldiers? Yes, although the film fails to make mention, there is care available and being provided to our men and women in arms, although to watch this film one would think to the contrary. Unfortunately, a look at any legal docket in the country will also show many instances of alleged negligence in that care. Heart-wrenching are interviews with many who have returned home handicapped and disabled, both physically and psychologically. Replete throughout every spoken word is a feeling of abandonment by not just the military and its medical system, but by the American people as a whole, and the frustration and loss that permeates the lives of these heroes. Unfortunately, Foulkrod has a tendency to wander with her focus, and where more pause could be given to this medical and psychological callousness, it is not, which in and of itself furthers the very message of abandonment felt by these young men and women.
Thanks to the Internet and many soldiers with a desire for the truth to be told, they themselves have provided video footage of the ravages of the battlefield compounded with their cathartic need to tell their stories. Vivid and powerful, it leaves little to the imagination and is even more impactful thanks to the clean editing of Rob Hall. But again, Foulkrod fails to follow through with a balanced portrayal and even goes so far as to insert musical medleys that do more to make much of this footage a mockumentary rather than a poignant documentary. Even more disappointing is the lack of an obvious response or opportunity to respond from the government or the military which further diminishes the cries of the voices that are heard.
Do we have a problem? Yes, we do. Do we as Americans know what these problems are? Probably not, although we know that the truth is out there if someone is willing to uncover it and expose it. And although completely one-sided, THE GROUND TRUTH does fill that need and does expose some of that truth. At the very least, THE GROUND TRUTH hits the ground running. Now it’s up to the rest of us to help carry the ball.
THE GROUND TRUTH opens in limited release on September 15 at Landmark Theatres across the country.
Written and directed by Patricia Foulkrod. Rated R. (80 min)
