Body of War

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Body of War
Directed by Ellen Spiro and Phil Donahue
Produced by Ellen Spiro and Phil Donahue
Starring Tomas Young
Music by Eddie Vedder
Cinematography Ellen Spiro
Editing by Bernadine Colish
Distributed by Film Sales Company
Release date(s) 2007
Official website
IMDb profile

Body of War, directed by Ellen Spiro and Phil Donahue, is a 2007 documentary following Tomas Young, an Iraq War veteran paralyzed from a bullet to the spine, on a physical and emotional journey as he adapts to his new body and begins to question the decision to go to war in Iraq.

As Tomas's journey unfolds, the film cuts back and forth to Congressional proceedings in Washington DC. Footage includes passionate speeches by Senator Robert Byrd as well as a running tally of how each US Congress member voted regarding the decision to go to war in Iraq.

The National Board of Review named Body of War Best Documentary of 2007. Previous winners include An Inconvenient Truth, March of the Penguins, Born Into Brothels, The Fog of War and Bowling for Columbine.

Contents

[edit] Honors and Awards

[edit] Critical reception

  • "Superb documentary ... almost unbearably moving."---Time Magazine [5]
  • "Identification with a single protagonist gives "Body" something to set it apart from other antiwar documentaries."
    ---Hollywood Reporter[6]
  • "Unforgettably intimate, Un-missable. Young is a fascinating, charismatic character, the camera loves him - as will audiences."
    ---Toronto Star [7]

[edit] Media coverage

[edit] Soundtrack

Body of War: Songs that Inspired an Iraq War Veteran, a double-CD compilation of songs curated by Iraq war veteran Tomas Young, will be released by Sire Records on March 18, 2008 — two days before the fifth anniversary of the United States’ invasion of Iraq.

Young personally selected each of the tracks that appear on Body of War: Songs that Inspired an Iraq War Veteran, including Eddie Vedder's previously unreleased, live version of "No More," which was written specifically for the Body of War documentary and performed with Ben Harper at Lollapalooza 2007 in Chicago's Grant Park. The double-CD set also features incisive songs from John Lennon, Bruce Springsteen, Bright Eyes, Neil Young, Lupe Fiasco, Serj Tankian, and many others (see below for full track-listing).

This music, Young says, serves as his personal ‘soundtrack for Iraq.’ “The compilation record was an idea that grew out of my love of music and my reliance on it before, during, and after the war,” he says. “The songs I selected for the record were tracks that inspired, motivated, and at times, literally saved me over the past few years.”

“Tomas has taught me a great deal, and our friendship has become one of depth and sincerity,” Vedder adds. “It has been a mind-expanding experience. I see how he relies on the strength of the songs to help him through each day. It is a true living example of the power of music.”

The Body Of War music site (www.bodyofwarmusic.com) goes live today and enables visitors to pre-order the Body Of War double CD set, view the video for “No More” by Ellen Spiro and special bonus footage with Tomas Young and Eddie Vedder, as well as link to sites and a forum where users can take action based on their feelings about the Iraq war.

All proceeds from Body of War: Songs That Inspired an Iraq War Veteran, which features original cover art designed and donated by acclaimed political artist Shepard Fairey, go to benefit the non-profit organization Iraq Veterans Against the War (IVAW), as chosen by Young. Founded in 2004 by Iraq war veterans, IVAW’s goal is to give voice to the large number of active-duty service people and veterans who are against the war, but are under various pressures to remain silent. In September, Sire Records donated $100,000 to IVAW in the name of Young, who is a spokesperson for the organization.

Track-listings

CD 1

  • “Hero's Song” - Brendan James
  • “American Terrorist” - Lupe Fiasco
  • “Light Up Ya Lighter” - Michael Franti & Spearhead
  • “Guerilla Radio” - Rage Against The Machine
  • “Son Of A Bush” - Public Enemy
  • “Empty Walls” - Serj Tankian
  • “Let Them Eat War” - Bad Religion
  • “White People For Peace” - Against Me!
  • “Letter From Iraq” - Bouncing Souls
  • “War” - Dilated Peoples
  • “Overcome (The Recapitulation)” - RX Bandits
  • “Fields Of Agony” - No Use For A Name
  • “Bushonomics” - Talib Kweli & Cornel West
  • “The 4th Branch - Immortal Technique
  • “B.Y.O.B.” - System Of A Down
  • “No More” (Live) - Eddie Vedder & Ben Harper

CD 2

  • “Devils & Dust” - Bruce Springsteen
  • “Masters Of War” (Live) - Pearl Jam
  • “When The President Talks To God” - Bright Eyes
  • “Gimme Some Truth” - John Lennon
  • “The Restless Consumer” - Neil Young
  • “Battle Hymns” - The Nightwatchman
  • “Anthrax” - Kimya Dawson
  • “WMD” - Blow Up Hollywood
  • “State Of The Union” - David Ford
  • “Yo George” - Tori Amos
  • “Love Vigilantes” - Laura Cantrell
  • “Black Rain” - Ben Harper
  • “To Kill The Child” - Roger Waters
  • “Day After Tomorrow” - Tom Waits

[edit] References

[1] Melidonian, Teni. 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.

[2] Awards for 2007. National Board of Review of Motion Pictures official website. Retrieved on 2007-12-12.

[3] TIFFReviews, 2007 edition Retrieved on 10/29/07.

[4] 2007 Hamptons International Film Festival Awards Hamptons International Film Festival official website. Retrieved on 10/29/07.

[5] Corliss, Richard 9/11 at the Toronto Film Festival. Time Magazine. 2007-9-11. Retrieved on 2007-11/29.

[6] DeFore John. 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.

[7] Knelman, Martin. Paralyzed Vet Soldiering on as an Anti-War Icon. The Toronto Star. 2007-9-11. Retrieved on 2007-11/29.

[edit] External links