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Research Point 2 (Optional)

Writer's picture:  Ian Meechan Ian Meechan

Image Credit - Paramount Pictures


Introduction:


I didn't consider researching the events in Iraq; however, after reading more about the subject and other elements, such as compassion fatigue and the consequences after combat, I thought about the realities and contrasts of fictional representations. As a result, I expanded on my responses in Part Three, Research Point 2, in the button link for reflection and research entitled 'Art Imitating Life: Navy SEALs from Real Life to the TV Screen.'


Art Imitating Life: Navy SEALs from Real Life to the TV Screen


I reviewed the optional suggestions in Part Three, Research Point 2, commenting on the aftermath of events at Abu Gharib. I found the subject matter quite harrowing, albeit interesting. I was familiar with the published photos in the news, but discovering the whole story was more inciteful and made me consider how Hollywood translates the military on the screen.


One example on the big screen was the movie 'Unthinkable' 2010. Following a black-ops interrogator and an F.B.I. agent who try to press a suspect terrorist into divulging the location of three nuclear weapons set to detonate in the U.S.


Image Credit IMDB - Unthinkable 2010
Image Credit IMDB - Unthinkable 2010

Another example is the TV series Seal Team.


The American television show SEAL Team introduces the audience to a dramatised depiction of the lives of Navy SEALS.


While the series successfully portrays the camaraderie, sacrifices, and intensity of SEAL life, its divergence from reality is notable, even with the guidance of real-life Navy SEALS like Tyler Grey, who serves as both an actor and advisor. By examining the show's progression throughout its series, we can explore the balance it strikes between authenticity and artistic license.


Establishing the Foundation:


The initial seasons focus on the Bravo Team, led by Jason Hayes (played by David Boreanaz), navigating the perilous demands of their missions and the personal toll of their profession. Tyler Grey brings invaluable insight to the show as an advisor and his portrayal of Trent Sawyer, a Bravo Team member. His involvement ensures accurate portrayals of mission planning, tactical movements, and military jargon.


However, the contrast between the show's dramatisation and real SEAL life is evident. Real Navy SEALS operate under strict constraints, prioritise stealth, and avoid unnecessary risk. In contrast, the SEAL Team often amplifies mission risks for dramatic effect, deviating from the meticulous planning characteristic of real-world operations.


Diving Deeper into the Psyche:


The series does succeed in exploring the psychological and emotional toll of combat, showcasing themes of PTSD, survivor's guilt, and the fragility of familial relationships


Drawing from real-life experiences shared by veterans like Tyler Grey and Mark Semons, another advisor, Trent Sawyer's arc mirrors Grey's injuries and recovery from combat, adding a layer of authenticity to the narrative.


Nevertheless, the dramatisation remains apparent. While narratively compelling, the need for tension inevitably precedes strict realism.


Conclusion: Bridging Reality and Fiction


The show's ability to evoke empathy and admiration for those who serve, even if its depiction occasionally prioritises entertainment over accuracy. For viewers seeking a nuanced portrayal of the human cost of military service,  it reminds us that art, while inspired by life, is often compelled to embellish it.


The documentary The Ghosts of Abu Ghraib (directed by Rory Kennedy) made me reconsider the soldiers, for example, Sabrina Harman, who is famously in the published photos from 2003. My initial thoughts were how she could do this, but learning more about the circumstances clarified their situation at the time.


It's possible that in the interests of entertainment and the effort to replicate reality, the lines of fiction and fact are becoming too crossed to the point where we've dumbed down the actual after-effects of military service.


References:


A Torturer’s Confession: Former Abu Ghraib Interrogator Speaks Out, 2016.Abdul-Ahad, G., 2004. Art under fire. The Guardian.Books, N.A., 2011. Abu Ghraib: The Politics of Torture, 1st edition. ed. NORTH ATLANTIC, Berkeley, Calif.David Rimanelli on Instagram: “Hans Haacke Star Gazing, 2004 digital C-print on aluminum” [WWW Document], 2024. . Instagram. URL https://www.instagram.com/p/C-IDEnjxpQe/ (accessed 1.21.25).Eisenman, 2010. Abu Ghraib Effect, Reprint edition. ed. REAKTION BOOKS, London.Ex-Abu Ghraib Interrogator: Israelis Trained U.S. to Use “Palestinian Chair” Torture Device, 2016.Fair, E., 2017a. Consequence: A Memoir, Reprint edition. ed. Picador, New York.Fair, E., 2017b. Consequence: A Memoir, Reprint edition. ed. Picador, New York.Ghosts of Abu Ghraib (2007), 2019.Gourevitch, P., Morris, E., 2008. Standard Operating Procedure, 1st edition. ed. Penguin Pr, New York.Grimes, R.L., 2006a. Rite Out of Place: Ritual, Media, and the Arts. Oxford University Press, Oxford New York.Grimes, R.L., 2006b. Rite Out of Place: Ritual, Media, and the Arts. Oxford University Press, Oxford New York.Hans Haacke - Artists - Paula Cooper Gallery [WWW Document], n.d. URL https://www.paulacoopergallery.com/artists/hans-haacke#tab:thumbnails (accessed 1.21.25).

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