The Hurt Locker: Social and Cultural Context

Expectation of a war film

Characters

• Reckless
• Sensible and focused
• Heroic
• Sacrificial/Martyr 
• Innocent
• Authoritative/Hierarchical

Themes

• Violence
• Serious atmosphere
• Boisterous/masculine
• Tragedy
• Elements of hope
• Moral dilemma
• Paranoia

War films were initially used as a sort of documentary about wars which informed society of the tough reality of being at war. Nowadays, War films exist to portray a greater sense of perspective about war and emotional and psychologically connect to the audience. Directors aim to place the audience in the shoes of the characters themselves and simultaneously reveal a sense of overwhelming humanity and lack of humanity. They also make us question war, government and everyday life.

'Aren't you glad the Army has all these tanks parked here? Just in case the Russians come and we have to have a big tank battle?' - Spc. Owen Eldridge     
'Yeah, but they don't do anything. I mean, anyone comes alongside a Humvee, we're dead. Anybody even looks at you funny, we're dead. Pretty much the bottom line is, if you're in Iraq, you're dead. How's a fucking tank supposed to stop that?' - Spc. Owen Eldridge:
  
- When Eldridge says this, he's referring to the fact that there is no reason to actually need tanks in a war like this except to show off America's power and strength. It also links to Russia and America being enemies ever since the cold war.

'You know you can shoot people here. You don't have to throw a wrench.' - Sergeant JT Sanborn - When Sanborn says this he is pointing out that the army have almost complete control over what happens and that they do not need to justify there actions as much as they would do at home as nobody would really question them here.

Timeline

Middle East states were carved out of the Ottoman Empire by French, British and US


1980’s Saddam Hussein – Iraqi Dictator had war with Iran and gained support from US, UK, KSA and others 

1990 Iraq invades Kuwait and is removed by a coalition of NATO and Arab League states

2001 Al Qaeda blows up Twin Towers unhappy that western troops had been stationed in KSA. Osama bin Laden, the mastermind, lives in Afghanistan. He was based there to liberate Afghanistan from Soviet influence with help from US and KSA. US and NATO countries invade Afghanistan.

2003 Iraq is invaded after George W Bush named Iraq, Iran and North Korea as the axis of evil. He believed he needed a conventional war to defeat Al Qaeda. He and Tony Blair talked about spreading democracy and overthrowing dictators. False information was reported about Iraq having WMD’s.

Some Sunni insurgents inspired by Al Qaeda go to Iraq to disrupt occupation

Shia hardliners also disrupt occupation




Film released in 2010