Afghanistan the first time. The Soviet Vietnam. Either way it is tens of thousands of young soldiers [or jihadists] slaughtering each other along with hundreds of thousands of folks forced to participate collaterally.
You try to wrap your mind around it – to pick someone or some thing to blame – but it is always overwhelming in the end. We live in a world where these things have happened since the dawn of testosterone. We just have far more lethal ways in which to inflict it.
And if this isn’t brainwashing writ large what is it? From birth they are molded into this frame of mind. And on both sides. Just as we were molded in turn. It’s only question of acknowledging it or not. And of situating it out in the world as best you can.
This film is based “loosely” on true events. But, come on, who is kidding whom. It’s still going on today. Only it’s the Yanks trying to wiggle out of it. Another rendition of “peace with honor”.
It’s really just a Russian remake of Full Metal Jacket
IMDb
Set domestic box office record in Russia, in 2005, generating $ 7,700,000 in five days. Surpassed Turetskiy gambit in October 2005 to become the highest-grossing movie in post-communist Russia. It was the first movie in post-communist Russia to surpass the $20 million mark at the box office.
wiki
The film received a mixed reaction from the veterans of that war, who pointed to a number of inaccuracies, but nevertheless, judging by ticket sales, was embraced by the general public, and even by Russian President Vladimir Putin.
trailer:
youtu.be/FVB9Xz2DyME
9TH COMPANY [9 rota] 2005
Directed by Fedor Bondarchuk
Drill Sergeant: You must be the painter, huh?
Petrovsky: That’s correct drill sergeant.
Drill Sergeant: So why’d you drag your ass over here? Could’ve stayed back home and drawn naked gals and pretty flowers.
Petrovsky: You see, comrade drill sergeant, if you believe Doctor Freud any creative art is sublimation of man’s subconscious instincts. Including violence. However, you may disagree since Soviet science doesn’t acknowledge Freud’s bourgeois teachings.
The look on the DI’s face: priceless. But then he punches Petrovsky very hard in the stomach.
[b]Drill Sergeant: Rule number one: a paratrooper is always ready for an ambush.
[Punches another soldier]
Drill Sergeant: Rule number two: Only one smarter than a Drill Sergeant is a Sergeant Major.[/b]
The rest is just the usual basic training bullshit. On the other hand, the Drill Sergeant here makes Gunnery Sergeant Hartman look like a pussycat.
The soldiers in unison: WE SERVE THE SOVIET UNION!
And most of them really do buy into it: The Motherland bullshit.
Commander [to assembled troops]: But, the most important thing to remember: When you cross the border, you will be in an Islamic state. Islam is not just another religion. It’s another world with its own laws, a different view of life…and of death. A true Muslim is not afraid to die in battle. And those who perish fighting the infidel – which is us – will immediately go to Heaven where they will get everything they lacked in this life—water, bountiful harvests, and bigbosomed beauties.
And the Soviet soldiers? They were reared in an atheist culture. No comforts of religion here. When they die that’s it.
[b]Commander: The most sacred thing to a Muslim is his home…haram. The second meaning of this word is “not allowed”. Forbidden. Looking at Muslim women…haram. Everything which concerns sexual relations…haram. It’s haram to show a Muslim any obscene gestures, to which all of you are so used to. For that you can receive a bullet even from a peaceful civilian.
…
Captain: The moment you step into a Muslim village you are guests. Killing a guest, even if he’s an infidel…haram. So remember, as long as you’re in the village, you’re safe. But the moment you step beyond its boundaries, the same host who’s giving you tea five minutes ago can shoot you in the back. Because killing an infidel is a heroic deed. A stairway to Heaven.
…
Captain: In the entire human history, no one has managed to conquer Afghanistan. No one. Never.
…
Captain: Men, why are we in Afghanistan?
Soldiers [shouting in unison]: FULFILLING OUR INTERNATIONAL DUTY, BY ASSISTING THE BROTHERLY PEOPLE OF AFGHANISTAN IN REPULSING IMPERIALIST AGGRESSION!
…
Petrovsky: Weapons are the most beautiful thing that man ever created in his entire history. During the Renaissance there was an artist. His name was Michelangelo. He was once asked how he created his sculptures. He answered, “it’s simple, I take a stone slab and knock off the extra pieces.” You understand beauty’s when there’s nothing extra. No excess. No waste. And in war there’s only life and death. And nothing else. War is beautiful.
Lyutyy: Listen, Giaconda, I don’t get it. Are you actually an idiot or you just fucking with us? What’s so beautiful? A man’s guts tangled up around tank treads. You really think that’s beautiful?! Got bored…so you decided to play soldier?
Petrovsky: I said you wouldn’t get it.
…
Lyutyy: It’s not bad if it’s quick. Much worse is if it just mangles you…
…
Lyutyy: I was at this hospital in Tashkent, where they brought some of those guys. Filled up the whole ward. Each one to half a bed. All that’s left of them.[/b]
Danny, my friend, RIP.
[b]Sergeant: War for some, mother’s milk for others.
…
Hohol: This isn’t basic training! This is war! You don’t get bad grades here! You get killed![/b]
The rest is history. Just as today in Afghanistan it’s history repeating itself. And the folks that manufacture the weapons of war don’t give them away for free.