Our “Women in Struggle” series continues this 15th March at Solidarity Books, with a screening of “Soldier Girls (1981) “ – Nick Broomfield (details of film below).

Start time is 8pm.

All welcome, donations appreciated.

This is a ‘direct cinema’ documentary, slice of life, all shot fly-on-the-wall as it happens, without interviews or voice-overs. As such it is quite different from Nick Broomfield’s later ‘solo’ films, which feature sensational subjects, Broomfield’s on-camera interactions, and discussions of his difficulties in making the films. ‘Soldier Girls’ follows a group of female recruits through basic training, and eventually focuses in on the one who can’t keep up. With militarism seemingly on the American agenda for the foreseeable future, this remains a timely film. There are things on view here we should all be aware of.

The film is very well made. Joan Churchill is an amazing camera person, and she gets right inside the action with incredible close-up shots. Churchill and Broomfield had amazing access. It is unlikely the Army is going to let any independent filmmakers get this close again, even in non-combat situations like this, the PR machine has the clamps tightened down now. Not that this film is necessarily negative to the Army – it’s actually very sympathetic to the tough as nails drill sergeant – but it is realistic enough to show more warts than the Pentagon wants to show. Highly recommended.