'Baghdad ER' Shows Medics on Front Lines

[julialnyc]

Directed by independent filmmakers Jon Alpert and Matthew O'Neill, "Baghdad ER" has its raw moments, both in the operating room and on rescue missions. (In an early scene, a medic deposits a severed arm into a plastic bag, presumably for disposal.)

But this is not a shock film, nor does it resemble that other, fictitious "ER." The camera observes, without judging or flinching or getting in the way. What results is a display of skill, dedication, efficiency and heroism on the part of the film's subjects.

It also finds flashes of normalcy: The docs have pirated cable so they can stay connected with ESPN. Once a week, they gather on the rooftop for a few hours of calm: Cigar Night. And in the operating room, they might even exchange a sick joke. "It helps keep us sane," a doctor tells the camera apologetically.

While these medical personnel may grimly remark on humanity's appetite for self-destruction, they put aside politics to do their job.

"The horrors of what man can do to man are visualized right here," declares Col. Casper P. Jones III. "But we do our best, our level best, to make sure our people survive and make it back to their homes."

You couldn't wish for better care for yourself. "Baghdad ER" is heartbreaking. But in unexpected ways it also will give you a lift. The one-hour film premieres on HBO at 8 p.m. EDT Sunday.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060521/ap_en_tv/tv_lookout

[don954]

1. MASH for the 21st century?

[grasswire]

2. the filmmaker said they omitted the most gruesome scenes

He said that most of the horror was kept out.

And then he says that "in order to show the heroism, one has to see the horror."

That's kind of a contradiction, isn't it?

[TallahasseeGrannie]

3. You know what I noticed

when I watched it? (and it was very good..as a matter of fact I am watching it as I write this) But it is just like "Trauma, Life in the ER" in that it shows the effects of violence on our young people. In the urban areas featured on the older shows, they show gunshot after gunshot victim.

I guess violence is violence wherever you find it.

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

4. Kick...

It's going to be a while before I get over this film.