Nader Chamas is an aspiring television writer who seeks to fuse thought provoking progressive ideals into the films, shows, and stories that he loves. Having graduated from Loyola Marymount University with a degree in Screenwriting, Nader seeks to use his writing to advance causes that do not get enough attention or input across mainstream media. Like most, Nader has his own share of his favorite franchises and stories across pop culture. However, he seeks to contribute timely and relevant topics into these stories as well as in his own original material. This is why Nader’s analysis of popular films and tv shows matches The Hollywood Insider’spractice of discussing entertainment from a socially cognizant and critical perspective.
After viewing the film, it’s easy to see why it is getting the recognition it deserves. It is nothing short of riveting to watch. Of the three film adaptations of this particular novel, this may very well be the best one to date. That may be a bit unfair due to the production technology we have today compared to when the other two films were released. But regardless, the film is brilliantly directed, astonishingly acted, and an overall unapologetically brutal look at the intimate and personal consequences of war.
Using Every Branch Of Filmmaking To Convey TheSame Message
In this film, all aspects of filmmaking work in conjunction with each other to convey the same message: war is hell. The story follows a young enlistee by the name of Paul Baumer, played excellently by Felix Kammerer. From the very moment he gets his uniform, we know exactly what he signs up for and the goosebumps only grow more often throughout the rest of the film. We see what happens to his uniform prior to his receiving, how it was taken from another dead soldier, only to be rinsed and handed off to him. Human lives are simply pawns in the process of war, treated like animals sent to be slaughtered only for the cage to be rinsed for the next occupant. Throughout most of the events in the film, it is easy to place ourselves in this situation and imagine the almost unimaginable and unbearable feeling of being down in the trenches. Again, the acting is not only stellar but is also used to convey the sense of fear and hopelessness that these soldiers feel, accepting the fact that they could die or be seriously wounded at any given second. Daniel Bruhl, who plays a character named Matthias Erzberger working as a delegate with French officials to end the war, is also fantastic with the little screen time he’s given.
It is the small details that amplify this war message as well. One area that was much more effective than it was probably expected to be was the makeup work. In one scene, after crawling on the muddy battlefield for an extended period of time, the mud on his face began to dry and crackle, as if he had just applied dried cement. Just the thought of what that must feel like and how painful it would have been to have it all removed was very unnerving.
Steven Spielberg’s ‘Saving Private Ryan’ and Mel Gibson’s ‘Hacksaw Ridge’ are obviously prime examples of war films with some of the most intricate sound mixing and editing ever heard on screen. This film definitely belongs in the same ballpark as those films. The sounds of bullets bouncing off his helmets, boots being pulled out of the mud, and wounds gushing with blood all paint a vivid picture of how grim and costly war really is.
As mentioned earlier, when watching this film, you can’t help but think how you would feel or what you would do if you were a soldier in this war. The anxiety tied to wondering whether or not this war will end anytime soon and what you would think if it didn’t. The horror and heartbreak you would endure watching your brothers die such gruesome deaths. The feeling, during a battle, when everything around you is moving at a thousand miles per hour and if you can’t keep up with it, you’ll likely lose a limb or even your life. All of these thoughts and feelings arise time and time again throughout this two-and-a-half-hour film.
As powerful and riveting as this film is, there may have been some ways in which it could have been even more moving. For instance, while we got to spend some time with Paul and his friends off of the battlefield and we did care relatively enough about their friendship and group dynamic, we probably would have been even more invested if we had gotten to spend a bit more time with them in the beginning and had seen their friendship on display further. We also could have maybe seen some of the real effects and ramifications on some of the living soldiers, families of those killed as well as of those surviving, and maybe even on the countries involved. But these aren’t nitpicking as much as they are suggestions for packing an even stronger emotional punch.
‘All Quiet On The Western Front’ – A War Movie For The Ages
It was pretty clear from the get-go what the message of this film was and given how effectively it got that message across to the audience, it’s safe to say that this film thoroughly accomplished its goal and succeeded in the realm of storytelling.
Click here to read The Hollywood Insider’s CEO Pritan Ambroase’s love letter to Cinema, TV and Media. An excerpt from the love letter: The Hollywood Insider’s CEO/editor-in-chief Pritan Ambroase affirms, “We have the space and time for all your stories, no matter who/what/where you are. Media/Cinema/TV have a responsibility to better the world and The Hollywood Insider will continue to do so. Talent, diversity and authenticity matter in Cinema/TV, media and storytelling. In fact, I reckon that we should announce “talent-diversity-authenticity-storytelling-Cinema-Oscars-Academy-Awards” as synonyms of each other. We show respect to talent and stories regardless of their skin color, race, gender, sexuality, religion, nationality, etc., thus allowing authenticity into this system just by something as simple as accepting and showing respect to the human species’ factual diversity. We become greater just by respecting and appreciating talent in all its shapes, sizes, and forms. Award winners, which includes nominees, must be chosen on the greatness of their talent ALONE.
I am sure I am speaking for a multitude of Cinema lovers all over the world when I speak of the following sentiments that this medium of art has blessed me with. Cinema taught me about our world, at times in English and at times through the beautiful one-inch bar of subtitles. I learned from the stories in the global movies that we are all alike across all borders. Remember that one of the best symbols of many great civilizations and their prosperity has been the art they have left behind. This art can be in the form of paintings, sculptures, architecture, writings, inventions, etc. For our modern society, Cinema happens to be one of them. Cinema is more than just a form of entertainment, it is an integral part of society. I love the world uniting, be it for Cinema, TV, media, art, fashion, sport, etc. Please keep this going full speed.”
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Nader Chamas is an aspiring television writer who seeks to fuse thought provoking progressive ideals into the films, shows, and stories that he loves. Having graduated from Loyola Marymount University with a degree in Screenwriting, Nader seeks to use his writing to advance causes that do not get enough attention or input across mainstream media. Like most, Nader has his own share of his favorite franchises and stories across pop culture. However, he seeks to contribute timely and relevant topics into these stories as well as in his own original material. This is why Nader’s analysis of popular films and tv shows matches The Hollywood Insider’spractice of discussing entertainment from a socially cognizant and critical perspective.
Nader Chamas is an aspiring television writer who seeks to fuse thought provoking progressive ideals into the films, shows, and stories that he loves. Having graduated from Loyola Marymount University with a degree in Screenwriting, Nader seeks to use his writing to advance causes that do not get enough attention or input across mainstream media. Like most, Nader has his own share of his favorite franchises and stories across pop culture. However, he seeks to contribute timely and relevant topics into these stories as well as in his own original material. This is why Nader’s analysis of popular films and tv shows matches The Hollywood Insider’spractice of discussing entertainment from a socially cognizant and critical perspective.
Nader Chamas is an aspiring television writer who seeks to fuse thought provoking progressive ideals into the films, shows, and stories that he loves. Having graduated from Loyola Marymount University with a degree in Screenwriting, Nader seeks to use his writing to advance causes that do not get enough attention or input across mainstream media. Like most, Nader has his own share of his favorite franchises and stories across pop culture. However, he seeks to contribute timely and relevant topics into these stories as well as in his own original material. This is why Nader’s analysis of popular films and tv shows matches The Hollywood Insider’spractice of discussing entertainment from a socially cognizant and critical perspective.
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