Library Video of the Week, April 25, 2011.

Restrepo: One Platoon, One Valley, One Year, a documentary directed and produced by Tim Hetherington and Sebastian Junger. An Outpost Films production in association with National Geographic Channel. Library Call Number: DS371.4123.K67R47 2010.
          Anyone wanting a better understanding of the trials of our military in Afghanistan should spend an hour and a half with this documentary. Charged with maintaining calm in a part of the Korengal Valley, a fifteen-man platoon of U.S. soldiers from the 173rd Airborne is deployed to a remote outpost called “Restrepo," named after a platoon medic who was killed in action. As the product description says, “It was considered one of the most dangerous postings in the U.S. military. This is an entirely experiential film: the cameras never leave the valley; there are no interviews with generals or diplomats. The only goal is to make viewers feel as if they have just been through a 90-minute deployment. This is war, full stop. The conclusions are up to you.”
          Adding to the poignancy of this film, Tim Hetherington, the co-director and co-producer, was recently killed while covering the Libyan fighting.