When we first posted a preview of "Carrier" on our website, a viewer commented that the program was transparently anti-war. He said it was slanted reporting and that the producers picked the subjects that they needed to tell the story a certain way. Later in the week, we got a Panorama comment from a viewer who said "Carrier" sounded like "another glorification of the military" and that the young enlisted men and women on the Nimitz think they're protecting the country but are actually "part of U.S. imperial pretensions."
And occasionally, we've received comments from proud parents who have children serving on the USS Nimitz.
Last week Rocky Mountain PBS hosted more than 200 people at public screenings of "Carrier," with post-screening discussions afterwards. Filmmakers Maro Chermayeff and Deborah Dickson were at the Denver screening at Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum. They were joined on the panel by military personnel who have served on an aircraft carrier, some on the USS Nimitz. Some audience questions related to life on the Nimitz, but it seems the majority were for the filmmakers. How many camera crews were on board? (Four.) Did you get seasick? (Fortunately, not too badly.) How did the sailors respond to the cameras? (They were uncomfortable at first but soon forgot they were there.)
The main questions I had didn't get asked.
What is the general feeling on board about the war?
When it comes to the actual war, the opinions on board seemed to run the gamut. Some of the crew said it felt good to help the Iraqi people, and that the positive changes there were plentiful. Others said they weren't sure why we were in Iraq. Still others said they don't ask questions, they just do their jobs. One man admitted to questioning his mission and feeling like he couldn't mention it on board. One thing that struck me is that there seemed to be a mutual respect of differing viewpoints – and an unwritten rule to not discuss them.
So, if you've been watching, does "Carrier" seem pro-war as one viewer said, anti-war as another said, or does it feel balanced? It's impossible not to ask these questions with the war in its fifth year and the approval rating dwindling.
I believe the filmmakers have attempted to fairly portray life at sea and the complexities of war. It's a challenging subject. When watching, I felt pulled in a lot of different directions personally. A difficult part for me was hearing a young sailor talk about how fun it is to drop missiles...and what an ugly place Iraq is. To be fair, she was only one person. Her attitude seemed to be balanced by others who spoke gravely and respectfully about their difficult and dangerous work.
If you're watching, let us know what you think so far. New episodes continue tonight, Wednesday and Thursday at 8 p.m.
- Allison, Rocky Mountain PBS
