Witness dystopian nightmare of 'Civil War'

EXCLUSIVE BY MURAT OZTEKIN — Which Hollywood "prophecies" have actually come true? To what extent were the disaster scenarios portrayed in these films fiction, and to what extent were they meant for psychological preparation?

These discussions demand a more in-depth analysis than a movie article can offer! However, lately, there has been more talk about the possibility of the U.S. turning into the "Divided States of America" over the migrant crossing controversy at the Texas border. According to a survey, nearly half of Americans fear a civil war within the decade. 

A dystopian Hollywood war movie depicting this "nightmare" is in theaters.

Directed by Alex Garland, who previously directed "Ex Machina," "Civil War" depicts the U.S. civil war through the eyes of a group of journalists trying to interview the president. The cast includes Kirsten Dunst, Jesse Plemons, Nick Offerman, Wagner Moura, Stephen McKinley Henderson, Cailee Spaeny and Karl Glusman.

As the capital falls

Set in the not-too-distant future, the U.S. is suffering from the same fever it has ignited all over the world. A civil war has broken out between the states and the Western Forces have largely taken control of the country. Abandoned cars are piled up everywhere, people are queuing for water and the country is in chaos. The capital, Washington D.C., is about to fall and only a handful of special agents are left to protect the U.S. president, who is holed up in the White House. 

In such an inferno, Lee, a famous photojournalist who has fought in wars in other countries, and Joel, a journalist, decide to travel from New York to the ring of fire and interview the president in the White House. They have to take along Sammy the old wolf and Jessie the naive. The long journey leads to a dark, bloody but extraordinary war story!

Powerful narrative

Garland crafts a powerful narrative set against the backdrop of a potentially fragmented United States. However, this isn't your typical war film. Rather than delving deeply into the political intricacies, the focus remains on the grim realities of a civil war scenario. It serves as a cautionary tale, highlighting the dire consequences such turmoil could have and underlining the importance of safeguarding democracy.

The film creates a gripping experience by appealing intensely to the senses. Despite its low tempo for the genre, it punctuates the narrative with "explosive moments" and visceral, bloody sequences, keeping the audience engaged. The use of humorous language to highlight the absurdities of war adds depth, while moments of "sad anger" provide emotional resonance throughout the story.

The cinematography, which is fed by the still photographs taken in the film, is also remarkable. 

"Civil War" has its weaker moments, particularly scenes where journalists transition into soldiers amid the chaos of war, which may come across as overly fantastical. As a result, the film's overall impact falls slightly below expectations.

Nevertheless, "Civil War" is a work that will be talked about and remembered for its subject matter and the way it deals with the war.

Source: Newsroom