As I've noted in other reviews of Iraq War-centric works, the flood of films continues unabated -- with as sprawling and diffuse a conflict as this, it's inevitable that filmmakers of all political persuasions and backgrounds will weigh in, cinematically speaking, on this bloody battle that is rapidly beginning to define the first decade of the new millennium. But while many films may give you a grunt's-eye view of life on the front lines or the repercussions for those left to wait and wonder at home, few will take you where Andrew Berends does in his searing, often chilling The Blood of My Brother.

Placing you inside the midst of a grieving Iraqi family as they wrestle with the sudden, premature death of one of their own -- Ra'ad al-Azawi -- and the violent circumstances of his death -- guarding a mosque in Kadhimiya, a section of Baghdad, Iraq -- as well as those implicit in his demise -- American soldiers. It's riveting stuff that may disquiet some as it achieves what many might consider extremely difficult: presenting an objective, un-biased portrait of the perceived "enemy." A casual channel surf through the cable news networks reveal many eager to demonize and paint many Iraqis as obstinate and vicious, fighting tooth and nail against democratization or peace. Some may be startled that Berends so unblinkingly reveals that, much like America, the turbulent, war-torn country of Iraq can't be reduced to glib soundbites. There are people and feelings at work that are just as complex and confusing as those experienced by individuals around the world.

Berends' film is ostensibly about Ra'ad's younger brother, Ibrahim, impetuous and consumed by rage at his sibling's martyrdom -- by taking his cameras into a Muslim prayer gathering, teeming with thousands of people and aboard a tank covered with resistance fighters seeking out American positions to attack, The Blood of My Brother is a bracing experience, one which puts the reality of life on the ground in stark relief. Far more penetrating than any evening news report, Berends' exceptional work joins the ever-swelling ranks of Iraq War films, a list that will no doubt continue to expand; Berends himself alludes to another feature-length documentary he filmed concurrently with The Blood of My Brother.

The Video:

Expectedly, The Blood of My Brother wasn't filmed on the slickest equipment available, a fact that's made quite clear in this grainy, jittery, smeared 1.66:1 anamorphic widescreen transfer. The video quality ranges from tolerable to barely-better-than-streaming-dialup, although the interview sequences are notably clearer and cleaner. This is a wildly varying visual experience, but the positives outweigh the negatives.

Primarily a film driven by interviews, the included Dolby 2.0 stereo soundtrack does a more than adequate job relaying what's said by everyone Berends interviews. Don't expect enhanced sound effects when a gun goes off or an explosion occurs; Berends' guerilla-style filmmaking is primarily concerned with making sure people are heard clearly. Optional English subtitles are also on board.

The Blood of My Brother doesn't have the range of supplemental materials one might hope for -- I was dying to know what a military intelligence officer would think of access afforded Berends, for instance -- but the disc does feature a few bonus nuggets. Berends contributes a fascinating, compelling commentary which outlines how he pulled off filming his documentary while explaining what attracted him to the project. Eleven deleted scenes, playable separately or all together for an aggregate of 27 minutes, 39 seconds, are presented here in anamorphic widescreen, with the film's theatrical trailer, also presented in anamorphic widescreen, completing the disc.

The Blood of My Brother is a bracing experience, one which puts the reality of life on the ground in stark relief. Far more penetrating than any evening news report, Berends' exceptional work joins the ever-swelling ranks of Iraq War films, a list that will no doubt continue to expand. Recommended.