Censored Voices is a powerful and thought-provoking documentary film that explores the Six Day War of 1967 from a unique perspective. Directed by Mor Loushy and produced by Hilla Medalia, the film is based on the tapes of conversations that were held between Israeli soldiers who fought in the war and author Amos Oz. The film begins with Oz giving his opinion that the war was a "victory that sowed the seeds of defeat" and that it changed the course of Israel's history forever. From there, the film takes the audience on a journey through the minds of the soldiers who fought in the war, many of whom were young and inexperienced at the time.
The recordings of the conversations are incredibly raw and emotional, with the soldiers discussing their experiences in the war, their fears, their doubts, and their hopes. They talk about the atrocities they witnessed, the innocent civilians they killed, and the guilt they felt. Some speak of their fears that Israel would become an occupier and oppressor of Palestinians, or that they were fighting for ideals that did not truly align with their own beliefs.
Interspersed with the recordings are archival footage of the war, giving context to the conversations and highlighting the brutal reality of the conflict. The film also features interviews with some of the soldiers who participated in the conversations and who continue to reflect on the war and its aftermath.
What sets Censored Voices apart from other war documentaries is its unapologetic honesty. It does not shy away from the uncomfortable truths about war and its effects on individuals and societies. The soldiers' discussions of morality and the consequences of their actions are as relevant today as they were over fifty years ago.
The film also raises important questions about the role of censorship in society. The conversations were originally recorded by journalist Avraham Shapira, but over sixty percent of the content was censored by the Israeli military. The censored content was only recently declassified and released to the public, which begs the question of why the military felt the need to suppress these voices.
Overall, Censored Voices is a poignant and thought-provoking film that offers a unique perspective on an important moment in history. It is a testament to the power of storytelling and the importance of listening to the voices of those who have experienced the horrors of war firsthand.
Censored Voices is a 2015 history movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 24 minutes.
It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.3 and a MetaScore of 72.
