Film Review: Diary of a Disgraced Soldier
Article published: Tuesday, February 16th 2010
Four years ago, a video of British soldiers beating Iraqi youths was released to The News of the World. The footage, filmed by Corporal Martin Webster, sparked international outrage. Webster, his voice clearly heard mocking the victims, became an instant media hate figure. In 2007 he left the army in disgrace and set about trying to reintegrate in to British society. This startling documentary meets the repentant Webster on the day he leaves the army.
Diary of a Disgraced Soldier follows Webster’s long and troubled journey to try and overcome the traumas he suffered both in Iraq and from the aftermath of the abuse scandal. At times his primal anger makes for uncomfortable viewing, as he rages against the army, the government and British society in general. This is a stark contrast with his more contemplative side, exorcising his demons through art, poetry and music. It is the conflict between these dual personalities that gives the film its driving force, and Webster’s considerable creative talent seems to provide an elegant metaphor for his possible salvation.
The trio of directors (Richard Atkinson, Neil Cole and Chris Rowe) stay firmly off-camera and incorporate intimate video diaries of Martin’s own making. The result is a compelling portrayal of a complex man at a dark time in his life. The film cleverly intercuts stock footage of military operations in Iraq with mundane shots of Britain’s streets, underlining Webster’s two, parallel struggles – his loss of a complete, army lifestyle and his readjustment into a different, strange society back home.
Diary of a Disgraced Soldier is by no means an apology for Webster and his fellow soldiers’ conduct, but it does paint a broader picture of their abuses than the media ever afforded them. By the time the footage was shot, they had gone for several days with little food or sleep, under constant threat and attack. Webster does not entirely deny responsibility for his actions, but this film prompts the question: how would you cope in Martin’s place? Aside from being a portrait of a remarkable human being, this documentary explores the ethics of a government and army sending unprepared soldiers in to an impossible situation. No matter what you think of the Iraq war, there is great insight to be had in this compelling picture.
The producers of Diary of a Disgraced Soldier are currently in talks with two broadcasters to get the film shown to the broader audience it deserves.
Simon Bradley
This one-off screening was hosted by Kinofilm as a preview for their short film festival, which begins in Manchester on 27th April 2010.
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