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Beaufort

Even though I take issue with the primary political agenda of the movie – to propagate the myth that the Israeli military was driven out of Lebanon – and it’s a bit frustrating to watch knowing how much the story deviates from actual fact, I was particularly taken by the authenticity of the details.

  1. The austere beauty of Lebanon
  2. How two pieces of bread and cheese toasted over a kerosene heater can seem like gourmet food
  3. The Israeli soldier’s respect for the enemy and willingness to acknowledge their courage
  4. The maze of the bunker systems
  5. “Hashkamat im shachar”  – everyone on the perimeter at dawn, like soldiers have done for centuries, since that is traditionally considered the most likely time for attack
  6. Forthright discussions between the soldiers – and between the soldiers and the officers – that is in many ways unique to the IDF and vital to our strength

I appreciated the way the film focuses on the camaraderie and relationships between soldiers, exposing our wry sense of humor.

  1. In one scene, a soldier is asked if he came to Beaufort by choice or by mistake. The soldier responds, “I wanted to and that was the mistake.”
  2. As an Israeli soldier, this sentiment reflects a typical assessment of many veterans and easily applies to Lebanon, the West Bank, and Gaza.
  3. It is important to note that this not an expression of gallows humor – a “what have I gotten myself into moment” – rather it is the typical self-mocking from people who are at once very cynical and highly patriotic. The humor is our way of trying to square those otherwise opposing sentiments.
  4. Keep in mind that these are, after all, the very same people who volunteer for elites units and serve in the reserves out of a genuine sense of duty to their country and comrades.  

 

Like all good movies about war, the film highlights the motivations behind a soldier’s willingness to fight. How this motivation, which is beyond political and even military objectives, is based on a sense of responsibility toward the men with whom you serve.