ECUFilmFestival OP t1_j8sk2cj wrote on February 16, 2023 at 5:30 PM

Reply to comment by TylerJWhit in I’m Scott Hillier, ex-war cameraman and award-winning independent filmmaker. I’m also the president of the European Independent Film Festival, with the 18th edition taking place this year from 14-16 April. AMA ! by ECUFilmFestival

There's no doubt that some of us who went off to cover wars have had some mental health issues further down the track. It would be impossible not to - just the sheer emotional pressure of being away from home and doing all that sort of stuff is tricky enough but facing extreme personal danger at every single minute of the day, obviously does some crazy things inside your head.
But everybody copes differently. And of course, it gets worse as you get older and your brain seems to want to reflect on those things that you'd pushed away - and now wish that you hadn't seen some of things you've seen. At the time it you could block it out easier.

The companies that send people to wars seem to be more aware of it now and there are discussions - but the breed of people who do this are a certain kind and they will go no matter what..

And watching war films - or reading about it.. Yeah.. Been there done that, let's leave it at that..

TylerJWhit t1_j8sliyh wrote on February 16, 2023 at 5:40 PM

Thank you for your response. At the end of the day I hope you make sure to take care of yourself. As I get older I become increasingly pacifistic, but I still recognize that some people simply do not have a choice.

War can bring out the worst in people. People that would have otherwise been amicable become enemies because of their nationality. And the generational PTSD and animosity takes a long time to heal from.

This poem still gets me.

https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/44329/the-man-he-killed