(Written by Intern, Sean Barry)
Today’s society seems to become angrier and divides itself further with each passing day. Political and moral ideologies have shifted so immensely that compromise is rarely a feasible option. Tensions came to a head on January 6th, 2021 when a legion of Donald Trump’s supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol in a day looked upon in infamy. The country was left in shambles, as people everywhere realized America was not as united as it once seemed. Initially premiering at Sundance back in January, War Game depicts how officials would handle the circumstances if it were to recur in greater severity. With permission from the government, filmmakers Jesse Moss and Tony Gerber capture an experimental exercise in a makeshift situation room. What ensues is a highly insightful and hopeful look at the future of politics and the coexistence of opposing parties.
On January 6th, 2023, exactly two years following the capitol riot, several dozen politicians and government workers come together to simulate how figures in power might respond to another similar attack on a bigger scale. Each person plays a different role, from the President (Montana governor Steve Bullock) to the Director of the FBI (FBI Agent Peter Strzok) to the Chief of the National Guard (Retired Major General Linda Singh). From an initial briefing, the team is given six hours to come up with a solution, while game makers continually monitor and send in customized news footage. Stakes are heightened when they learn further anarchy has begun to break out simultaneously across the country.
Not only are Moss and Gerber able to show an approximate reaction to a realistic national emergency, but they also share perspectives from the team involved. Intense debates in the situation room are occasionally intercut with selected game maker anecdotes. Many who served in the armed forces share their unpleasant experiences during and after combat. A lack of proper compensation for their service has allowed these veterans to garner a deeper understanding of some of the common governmental frustrations felt by insurrectionists. More information becomes discernible, as a large percentage of rioters at the Capitol on January 6th turned out to be ex-military.
An intro sequence where two of the game makers walk around Washington D.C. at night gives the sensation of a spy thriller, utilizing low lighting and a particularly serious tone of voice. It is a fitting start to the grueling concept showcased soon after. Due to special permissions granted, the camera is able to be in the room during the exercise, but it also gets up close and personal with many of the players to give a greater sense of stress. Uncharacteristically gorgeous, scenic cinematography of Washington D.C. conveys the real beauty within America’s layers. Quickly edited moments of the politicians’ negotiations are spliced alongside slower and more contemplative images, effectively exhibiting the conflicting emotions many feel today.
Although there are moments of reprieve from the central conflict, much of the setup surrounds the main simulation. After a while, it can be hard to maintain full attention. Regrettably, only specific audiences will be able to fully enjoy the wide array of political insights as well as various radical stances. This concept is exceedingly intriguing; however, shortening it to only a portion of a larger film might have been more effective. Nonetheless, the viewer is given unique comprehension of events and discussion that usually transpire behind closed doors. Perhaps, people will think back on this documentary before criticizing the government’s decision making in the future.
See if it’s possible to win the War Game when it screens at Rooftop Films’ Rooftop Selects series on Thursday, May 30.
