BalletBoyz: Young Men

One of the better modern works of art to commemorate the First World War, "Young Men" is a powerful evocation of the endless suffering involved in a war. The movie follows a group of soldiers who, as one season succeeds another, encounter the worst fate and mankind can throw at them. It breathes a strong sense of claustrophobic despair : watching it is like watching a group of desperate people immobilized on a forgotten island, who know/fear that the next tide is going to swallow most of them. Or it is like watching a group of prisoners who suspect that most of the invitations to go take a healthful walk in the prison courtyard are but a cruel code word for yet more beatings and torture.

There is much to admire and appreciate in the movie, such as the fine choreography and dance performances, but it was the hypnotic musical score by Keaton Henson which made the greatest impression on me.

Should be made into mandatory viewing for any politician stupid enough to talk about war with jolly enthusiasm.