Redacted

The film depicts the experiences of five U.S. soldiers in Iraq through a series of found footage recordings, including security camera footage, YouTube videos, and blog entries. It directly confronts the realities of war and the moral compromises faced by soldiers, culminating in a harrowing depiction of a brutal crime.

Redacted received a mixed to negative reception from critics, who found its message heavy-handed and its execution often clumsy. While some acknowledged its attempt to address the grim realities of the Iraq War and the moral ambiguities faced by soldiers, many criticized its didactic approach and the polarizing nature of its subject matter.

• Praised for its unflinching portrayal of war's brutality and its attempt to provoke thought.
• Criticized for its heavy-handed message and often unsubtle filmmaking.
• Divided opinions on its effectiveness as a war film and its artistic merit.

Google audience: Audience reviews are mixed, with some appreciating the film's raw depiction of the Iraq War and its attempt to show the soldiers' perspective, while others found it disturbing and overly graphic, questioning its overall message and artistic value.

Won the Silver Bear for Outstanding Artistic Contribution at the 2008 Berlin International Film Festival.

Director Brian De Palma stated that the film was inspired by the real-life story of the Mahmudiyah killings, a widely reported incident involving the gang rape and murder of an Iraqi teenager by U.S. soldiers.