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Deep Dive: Only the Dead (2015)

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Only the Dead
Only the Dead is a 2015 Australian documentary focusing on war correspondent Michael Ware's experiences covering the Iraq War. The film begins in February 2003, just before the American invasion, as Ware, embedded with Kurdish fighters, captures significant events including mortar fire and the aftermath of a suicide bombing that killed a journalist. As the documentary progresses, Ware establishes himself at a Time magazine bureau in Baghdad, where he films various incidents, including the aftermath of a car shooting involving a teenage boy and the Jordanian embassy bombing. The documentary features Ware's evolving relationship with insurgents, who begin to share their military operations with him. He accompanies them on attacks and captures footage of significant events, including the execution of American hostage Nick Berg and the operations of Abu Musab al-Zarqawi's network. The film concludes with Ware reflecting on how his experiences changed him, stating, "I became a man I never thought I'd be."

Why Watch

  • •See Michael Ware's raw footage from the Iraq War.
  • •Find out how insurgents shared their military operations with Ware.
  • •Meet Abu Musab al-Zarqawi and his impact on the war.

Did You Know

•Michael Ware filmed the aftermath of the Jordanian embassy bombing in Baghdad.
•The documentary includes footage of a teenage boy's brother vowing to 'do something big' after his sibling was allegedly killed by an American soldier.
•Ware was almost executed by insurgents but was saved by his escort negotiating his release.

Perfect For

War journalismMiddle Eastern conflictsDocumentary filmmaking