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Iraq Films Get Army's Attention

Film liaisons offer help; some directors see spin

By Nick McMaster,  Newser Staff

Posted Jul 7, 2008 1:58 PM CDT

(Newser) – War films can help shape public perception, and the Army is trying to guide moviemakers away from negative portrayals of the Iraq conflict like the ones that dominated films about Vietnam. Army liaisons to Hollywood offer equipment, expertise—and script alterations that some filmmakers see as spin. The LA Times looks at an area in which, one military liaison says, "There doesn't seem to be a lot of room for nuance."

"We needed their help," says director Paul Haggis, who requested but ultimately declined the Army’s assistance for In the Valley of Elah. "If they had reasonable input I would have taken it. But I am not there to do publicity for the Army.”

Paul Haggis, left, and  Brian De Palma arrive for the screening of the movie  In the Valley of Elah at the 33rd American Film Festival in Deauville, Normandy, France, Tuesday Sept. 4, 2007.
Paul Haggis, left, and Brian De Palma arrive for the screening of the movie " In the Valley of Elah" at the 33rd American Film Festival in Deauville, Normandy, France, Tuesday Sept. 4, 2007.   (AP Photo/Michel Spingler)
This undated photo provided by Warner Independent Pictures shows actor Tommy Lee Jones, left, in a scene from the movie In the Valley of Elah.
This undated photo provided by Warner Independent Pictures shows actor Tommy Lee Jones, left, in a scene from the movie "In the Valley of Elah."   (AP Photo/Courtesy of Warner Independent Pictures)
This photo provided by Magnolia Pictures shows, from left to right, Rob Devaney, Kel Oâ%uFFFD%uFFFDNeill, Mike Figueroa and Izzy Diaz in a scene from Redacted.
This photo provided by Magnolia Pictures shows, from left to right, Rob Devaney, Kel Oâ%uFFFD%uFFFDNeill, Mike Figueroa and Izzy Diaz in a scene from "Redacted."   (AP Photo/Magnolia Pictures, Jody Shapiro)
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