Standing Army

Standing Army, directed by Thomas Fazi and Enrico Parenti, is a 2010 documentary film that explores the often overlooked and under-discussed aspect of U.S. military presence around the world post-WWII. The movie brings to the forefront the existence of a global network of U.S. military bases, spread over more than 150 countries around the world, predominantly in developing nations or political hotspots.

The film features prominent interviews with well-respected intellectuals like Noam Chomsky, staunch critic of American foreign policies, and author William Blum, an ardent critic of U.S. imperialism. They provide insightful comments and analysis, and critique the U.S global military presence, which they argue, is a form of modern imperialism.

Additionally, the film also showcases interviews with Olivier Bancoult, a Chagos islander who was evicted from his home due to the construction of a U.S. military base. His heartbreaking account humanizes the larger political issue that the film explores, giving viewers a glimpse into the personal impact of this vast network of foreign military bases.

Through these interviews and various case studies across the globe, Standing Army effectively highlights the surprising lack of public and media discourse about this phenomenon. The documentary uses a data-driven perspective, interwoven with first-hand accounts, expert opinions and historical context to provide a riveting exploration of a little-known aspect of U.S. military strategy.

The filmmakers see these bases in strategic locations as part of a new form of empire-building. They argue that the bases have negative impacts on the host nations, with the potential to destabilize local economies and polities, and pose environmental risks with a lack of adequate oversight.

The film spends a significant time covering the political tensions created by these bases in various countries. There are discussions regarding the opposition of local populations to the presence of these bases, often due to environmental and social impact. Standing Army points out how these bases are strategically placed to project U.S. military power and maintain global hegemony.

Standing Army isn’t just a political or military critique, it also provides an environmental outlook on the issue. The film demonstrates how these military bases often lead to environmental destruction. The bases have been linked to deforestation, destruction of natural habitats, and pollution of local resources - impacts often overlooked when discussing military practices.

Throughout the film, the directors effectively maintain a delicate balance of providing hard data and facts, while never losing sight of the human element involved in the narrative. It’s not just a barrage of information, but an emotional, human-centred perspective that adds a unique and poignant touch. The film presents a balanced view, allowing audiences to make their own interpretations.

One of the key strengths of the film is its cinematography. A considerable portion of the film is made up of aerial shots, flaunt the span and geographical spread of these bases. These visual elements provide viewers with a stark reminder of the scale these bases operate on.

Standing Army is quite accessible as far as documentaries go. The filmmakers ensure the content is easily comprehensible for viewers who might not be well-versed in international relations or defense issues.

In its succinct running time of just over an hour, this thought-provoking documentary succeeds in pulling back the curtains on far-reaching connections between military bases and various facets of the global socio-economic, political, and environmental environments.

Standing Army shines a spotlight on an understudied, under-discussed aspect of American foreign policy that continues to impact millions of lives and the global political landscape. Though the film raises more questions than it answers, it elicits deep thought and inspires dialogue, acting as the starting point for broader conversations on geopolitical power politics. This offers it as a strong choice for those looking for an informative, critical, and humanising view of the American military's global footprint.