Synopsis

Children playing with wooden swords and plastic pistols is, even nowadays, still rather ordinary. But grown men dressed in German and Red Army uniforms, shooting at each other with blank ammunition or going at each other in other ways, might seem rather odd to most people. Is this a fair portrayal though? Director Meelis Muhu uncovers some unexpected answers. The main actors of Let’s Play War are all members of military clubs who, in their spare time, try to re-enact World War II battles as realistically as possible. Seeing the fake combats in a new light makes them seem much less absurd than might be first assumed. Still, the line between an amicable game and a venomous fight remains very thin, as shown in various highly-contrasted scenes. At one moment, club members are dancing and celebrating together, and seconds later one sees them practicing how to shoot and how to die. A boy is told how high to lift up his arm for the Hitler salute. Girls perform “You’re in the Army Now” with guns in their hands. This gripping documentary from Estonia offers new perspectives on official history and its commemoration.

Guests

Meelis Muhu

Meelis Muhu

Director Let's Play War

In Vienna: March 23-26