Severe Clear

Severe Clear is a compelling war documentary released in 2009, directed by Kristian Fraga and featuring Marines 1st Lieutenant Mike Scotti and Jiemar Patacsil. The film dives deep into the raw, nerve-wracking experience of being on the front lines of combat, offering an unfiltered and personal perspective of the time leading up to and during the Iraq War. Based entirely on footage taken by Scotti, it presents an unalloyed perspective on the horrors, complexities, and circumstances of warfare - a view from the very heart of the action.

Unlike most war documentaries, Severe Clear is seen from Scotti’s viewpoint, in the form of his own home movie footage and entries from his personal diary. His perspective provides an intimate look into his life as a soldier, his bond with his combat brothers, his emotional turmoil, and his response to the harrowing realities of war. The tale unfolds through his own lens, captured on a mini DV camera which he carried throughout his deployment.

Severe Clear starts with their departure from home, taking the audience through an emotional roller coaster that is Scotti’s journey. The film shows their experiences of rigorous training, their journey on a ship in the Arabian Sea, and finally their progress into Baghdad. The in-the-moment commentary, paired with the straightforward, uncensored camera footage, paints a vivid picture of life in a war zone. The audience gets to see the camaraderie, humor, tedium and terror soldiers experience in war—highlighting that amidst the chaos, they are just regular humans.

Jiemar Patacsil’s role in Severe Clear, though not as prominent as Mike Scotti's, is equally essential. His character offers a compelling supplementary viewpoint to Scotti’s 1st person narrative, reinforcing the theme of shared experience in the war. The diverse characters in this self-narrated story humanize the soldiers, pulling the audience into their world, letting them feel their anxiety, excitement, fear, and confusion.

The title Severe Clear is derived from a military term that signifies extremely clear, good weather that ultimately aids aerial visibility, a subtle metaphor for the transparency and clear-headedness this documentary aims to showcase and uphold. This film doesn’t hold back any punches—it is brutally honest in its depiction of war and its rather distressing effects on the human psyche.

The documentary addresses all dimensions of warfare: the political, human, and moral aspects. Through candid soliloquies of camaraderie, loss, and struggle, it shows that the soldiers are not mere moving parts in a geopolitical game, but people with their dreams, doubts, and fears. It is a reflection of the struggle between duty and self-preservation.

One of the unique aspects of Severe Clear is how it dwells on the grey areas of war. You see soldiers grappling with the lure of adrenaline-fueled exploits, while also dealing with the grim reality of their actions. It also gives a firsthand account of the intense rush that comes from being in such fraught situations, providing a stark, conflicted image of what it means to be at war.

Severe Clear stands out as a brutally honest chronicle of combat life. Scotti’s raw testimonials coupled with shaky-cam footage allow a rare, unscripted look behind the scenes of war. This film succeeds in embodying the notion that 'War is Hell' in its most primal form, relating an odyssey of fear, uncertainty, and survival.

In conclusion, Severe Clear is an impactful documentary that leaves an indelible image of the Iraq war. Its vivid portrayal of the lived experiences of soldiers achieves a level of authenticity rarely seen in war films. The gritty style, amateur footage, and personal diaries create an immersive experience for the viewers, making them privy to the unglamorous reality of war. It drives home the message that amid the devastation, the bravery and unity of the soldiers shine through, resonating long after the film ends.