Triage

Triage is a heart-wrenching drama from 2009 starring Colin Farrell, Jamie Sives, and Paz Vega. It follows the story of Mark Walsh (Farrell), a war photographer who is haunted by his experiences covering conflicts across the world. After his friend and colleague David (Sives) goes missing in Kurdistan, Mark travels to the war-torn region to try and find him. He brings along his girlfriend, Elena (Vega), who is a nurse, to help him.

The movie begins with Mark and David working in a refugee camp in Kurdistan. They are documenting the atrocities of war when suddenly they come under fire from a sniper. David is shot, and Mark tries to save him, but ultimately he is unsuccessful. This scene sets the tone for the rest of the movie, as Mark struggles to come to terms with his guilt and grief.

After David goes missing, Mark is desperate to find him, and he sets out on a dangerous journey through the war zone, risking his own life to try and save his friend. Along the way, he meets various people, including a group of Kurdish fighters who are trying to overthrow Saddam Hussein's regime. Mark joins them for a while, hoping that they can help him find David.

As Mark searches for his friend, he becomes increasingly disturbed by the horrors of war. He witnesses countless atrocities, including bombings, shootings, and torture. He also meets a young boy who has been traumatized by the conflict, and he tries to help him, even though he knows it's dangerous.

Throughout the movie, we see flashbacks to Mark's previous assignments, including one in Africa where he took a photo of a dying man that went on to win a Pulitzer Prize. This photo is a significant part of Mark's story, as it serves as a reminder of the horrors he has seen and the lives he has lost. We also see Mark trying to come to terms with his guilt over David's death, as he wonders whether he could have done more to save him.

All the while, Elena is back home in Dublin, waiting for Mark to return. She is worried sick about him and is desperate for him to come back safely. Her storyline serves as a counterpoint to Mark's, as we see the impact of war on those left behind.

Triage is a powerful and moving movie that tackles the difficult subject of war and its impact on individuals. Colin Farrell gives a fantastic performance as Mark Walsh, perfectly capturing the character's pain, guilt, and desperation. The supporting cast is also excellent, particularly Jamie Sives as David, who provides a tragic but important counterpoint to Mark's story.

The movie is shot beautifully, with stunning desert landscapes and gritty, realistic war scenes that bring the conflict to life. The direction by Danis Tanovic is superb, allowing the story to unfold naturally and keeping the focus on the characters and their emotions.

Ultimately, Triage is a movie about the toll of war on the human spirit. It's a sobering reminder of the horrors that people face in conflicts across the world and the impact that those experiences can have on individuals. It's a difficult watch, but an important one, and a must-see for anyone interested in the subject of war photography or the impact of conflict on individuals.