Most of us probably don't remember that Russia invaded part
of Georgia during the Beijing Olympics. I barely remember even hearing about
it. The knowledge of recent, relatively unknown, history is fascinating,
particularly as it is portrayed in this film. 5 Days of War tells this story clearly with great emotional appeal
and clear storytelling. The film follows two war correspondents as they travel
the countryside amidst bombings and gunfire to help share the news. The trouble
is that no network wants to show their reports. Along the way, the journalists
meet up with a local girl in search of her family.
This film isn't particularly gory compared to some, but watching clearly
innocent civilians be devastated by war for no obvious reason makes some scenes
much more difficult to watch. I can feel the desperation of people searching
for safe shelter from air bombings and ground troops. Some attention is paid to
the president of Georgia as he strives to find aid from other countries in a
bid to save his own, which lends a unique perspective since you see both sides
of the conflict "“ the people's struggles and the government's. Any moments of
light-heartedness are few and far between, despite the romance that threads its
way into the storyline. While the romance is more annoying than helpful at
times, having a slight break in the tension of watching the struggle to survive
is welcome.
Technically, I was occasionally annoyed by the shaky camera work, though it is
clearly meant to be portrayed that way. The soundtrack fits beautifully with
the film and often works as a counter to the overwhelming emotion on screen by
being simplistic yet beautiful. Moments of silence are also used sparingly and
keep the film from being too much. 5 Days
of War dances the fine line of being too intense, but the effects help keep
the film manageable for the viewer.
If you have any interest in recent or Eurasian history, this
film will likely appeal to you. I can't attest to the historical accuracies,
but I can assume that some liberties are taken to move the film along. 5 Days of War doesn't really leave me
with a warm, fuzzy feeling, but it's not meant to. This film serves as a
vehicle to tell a story that's been forgotten by most of the world, and it does
so in a way that's respectful of the situation.
