The film "Mr. Nelson, Did You Kill People?" which premiered at the Venice Film Festival on Friday, portrays the true story of Alan Nelson, a Black American Marine in Vietnam in ۱۹۶۶. Nelson, who has struggled with the consequences of war and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) throughout his life, is now recognized as the voice of war victims as he attempts to share his experiences.
Harsh Realities of War
The film's director, Tsukamoto, known for his pacifist films, felt compelled to present this experience in the form of a movie after hearing Nelson's story. In his press conference, he stated: "If people go to war, regardless of their country, they will face horrific realities and commit terrifying acts."
The film takes the viewer into the heart of the Vietnam War with graphic and ruthless flashbacks; a place where Nelson and his team search for Viet Cong and easily kill civilians. Nelson recalls in his therapy sessions: "We shot at anything that moved."
Changes in Modern Warfare
Tsukamoto pointed to changes in modern warfare and the impacts of advanced technologies, including drones. He is concerned that the sense of killers in understanding the real harm to others diminishes with technological advancements. He added: "Drone operators may monitor their targets for days, and in some cases, empathy for the victim's family may develop."
Tsukamoto's goal in making this film is to evoke a deep feeling in viewers about war and its effects on human lives. He believes that if this genuine feeling of war is conveyed, future generations may strongly avoid going to the battlefield.
Nelson, who gave over ۱۲۰۰ speeches about his wartime experiences in Japan throughout his life, passed away in ۲۰۰۹ and was buried in Japan.
