The Invisible War (2012)

This is one of the few movies I've ever seen where the whole audience broke into spontaneous, loud applause a third of the way in.

It's the kind of movie you'll want to see a second time with someone who hasn't seen it yet, to remember what it was like to watch it for the first time.

True to its essence, the characters remain on the same line and manage to entertain the viewer, each highlighting their own distinctive qualities or touches.

The film's masterful storytelling did its job. The message was clear. No need to overdo.

The topic covered in "The Invisible War" is no surprise. The military is all about machismo. The troops feel the need to validate themselves by sexually assaulting both men and women (mostly women, though). And sure enough, the repeated instances of sexual assault have gotten covered up. In the wake of the MeToo movement, this seems all the more important.Winner of an Emmy and nominated for an Academy Award, this documentary deserves more attention. It poses a serious question: who are we that we keep letting this happen? I fully recommend it.Another documentary that briefly addressed this topic is "Hot Coffee". It featured an interview with a woman whose fellow cadets drugged and raped her in Iraq.

Here is a film that causes you to think. Like any solid documentary, this movie is very informative and somewhat depressing, since problems about rape in the military are being brought to light. But do not let that keep you from being able to appreciate inspiring stories told by brave women. Women who risk their very lives in hopes to bring about some sort of change, so that future women who enlist in the military can be protect. Just try not to watch it on a dreary day. The style of this documentary consisted mostly of interviews and followed the life of one veteran woman particularly. Near the end, it showed the government's involvement over the years, explaining how they've tried to step in and get money and awareness for this issue. It comes off as a dramatic film, making you feel sorry for each of the women and all they had to go through. For most people, it is relatable to their current situation in life.I think anyone who have ever been a victim of something can relate to this heart-breaking film. The humanity of rapists are unreal. They go about these things with nothing to lose, and completely decimate the lives of these women. In the film, they bring up the fact that most of the rapists' lives are good and they've had little to no repercussions. One of the young families being followed in the film, was affected by rape tremendously. They experience reoccurring pain from the abuse of the rape offender and the neglect of the government to help. Because of her injuries, she no longer can go outside and play with her daughter. Instead she stands inside, watching while eating jello as a part of her only soft food diet. She gets put on hold for almost and hour just to find out if she is eligible for treatment that she desperately needs, adding to the mountain of pills she has to take every day. Activists looking to protest something would be all over this film, since this is a reoccurring problem that is not being changed. These tragedies were displayed very well and made for a good movie.I believe this film did a wonderful job in presenting information in a way that moves you to want the government to do a better job in handling rape cases. One thing I noticed though, was that while they videoed one of the cases in great detail, it made the pace of the movie much slower. The other women's stories' are good, but not looked into as much as they could have been. As for the progression of the film, The barrage of advertisements for women in the military at the start of the film were very entertaining. Having come into this film not knowing what it would be about, I felt completely hooked after the intro. The information came from diverse locations and had many interviews clips from officers of different ranks and jobs. I felt like i could really trust the information and the filmmaker's raw footage feel really contributed to that. Several riveting facts about the number of rapes of women in the military were exposed. There were even some cases of male rapes that were hard to listen to. But in the midst of all this turmoil, a well made documentary was produced in order to combat this seemingly endless cycle of tragedy. For far too long have officers been telling women to "suck it up" after brutal accounts of rape. And this film might very well be the spark that restores honor in the military.

I was a male rape counselor for two years for a city in California. I am pro-women and have even wrote a book called PEARLS FOR GIRLS IN SEEKING CUPID Don't BE STUPID. I said all that to say this. The world is not ultra friendly in favor of women so that puts the responsibility on men to include them and their welfare along with our own. Therein lies the problem. Men, help themselves to women instead of helping them. Plain and simple. Women also play a role but not as portrayed like asking or wanting to be raped. NO. They fail to listen to their common sense and in some cases find it prudent to go along to survive. There is no formal training on what to do if raped in a state of peace. If they were drugged, its even worse. In civilian life, bringing a perpetrator to justice harms the victim more than the defendant. One trial I attended just smeared the woman who was drugged. I applaud them for surviving and then having to endure the aftermath both public and private. In the world of the military, if a commanding officer says to do or not do, then it is law. So how come rape exists? If I was a colonel, I would have everyone assembled and make this announcement. The first time I hear of any sex complaints involving any of you, I will end your life as you know it. This is your heads-up. After this, heads roll. Dismissed! Then, all officer and non-coms are to support that right down to where they all live and breath. The weeding out of the trouble-makers is commands responsibility. I will say this too because it has to be said. Please, no arguments either. The idea of women in the military may work if isolated and directed. This coming together is asking for trouble similar to letting to teen-age kids date alone. I stayed on Camp Lejeune base for a week. All I saw was walking talking testosterone "on" trained killers with nothing to do. If we had an enemy at the time, the Marines would kill them all just to release their pent-up training, egos, hormones and purposes. Barring that, there were fights, drinking and other things that free time with nothing to do brings about. Having women in this situation is not smart unless training, direction, instruction and correction is strictly enforced. If a military female was taken captive by enemy forces, history teaches that they are the spoils of war. The military itself sees it as a calculated risk of which I report with sadness. I'm sorry but it is true. Yet, I would fight to the death to prevent that happening or to effect a rescue because it is the right thing to do. If one of us was captured and tortured, then all of us suffer until it is corrected. The idea of preying on a someone who is on the same side is revolting. Thank you for this fine reporting of a most delicate subject matter. One very important last thing. Those that are in power, who can shake and move and make changes need to take clear and precise action. If this is going on during your watch, you are part of it. Yes, YOU ARE

The Invisible War (2012) **** (out of 4)Terrific documentary from Kirby Dick (THIS FILM IS NOT YET RATED) taking a look at women and men in the military who are raped but their reports get covered up by their officials. THE INVISIBLE WAR is a pretty shocking and haunting documentary. It's not like this is the first film to deal with women getting raped and people turning away when it comes time to report it. What's so shocking is that so many of these cases were rather open and shut in regards to the accused really being guilty yet this still wasn't enough for them to be punished in any way, shape or form. Even more shocking is when you see how many cases are reported but then you have to consider how many women (and men) are raped but don't report it due to fear or them just thinking nothing is going to be done (which is obviously happening). Several years ago I watched a documentary on women in college who get raped and those numbers were also shocking so it's rather sad to see how many cases are out there in all walks of life but nothing appears to be getting done about it. The stories here are quite haunting including one where a victim had to call her father and tell him what happened. As a film I had to use the word "entertaining" when it comes to rape but it's clear that the director knows how to tell a story and he certainly gets his point and message across. THE INVISIBLE WAR takes a look at an ugly subject matter but it's extremely well-made and worth watching.