Soldier/Citizen

Filmed in 2006, Soldier/Citizen is a thought-provoking, fly-on-the-wall glimpse into the rigours of war not often seen by Western eyes. Nationalistic ideals, conflicting beliefs and an adolescence cut short sit at the centre of this elucidating documentary on a particular group of soldiers in the second Lebanon War.

The platoon of youngsters has just completed three years of mandatory military service for their country. After all they have seen and done – caught up in a system they struggle to understand – they are allowed just three weeks in the classroom to graduate high school with lessons from a teacher not much older than themselves.

Harsh views born on the battlelines make way for heated exchanges in the classroom as this generation of soldiers debate everything from human rights to the conflicts that arise from living in a state that is at once Jewish and democratic.

Soldier/Citizen is co-presented with the Brisbane International Film Festival.

“A fly-on-the-wall classroom documentary with a difference...” Hollywood Reporter