Land of Mines (2015)

From the trailer alone to the core subject matter, this movie shines a light on a shocking, largely forgotten chapter of history. It tells the story of how 2,000 German prisoners of war were forced, right after the war ended in 1945, to clear over two million mines from the coast using nothing but their bare hands—totally unequipped for such a deadly task. Nearly a thousand of those German soldiers lost their lives or limbs in the process.

This film is currently sitting in the top nine for the Oscar for Best International Feature.

So, I just finished watching this movie. Honestly? I actually liked it.

The trailer looks pretty solid to me too, so I just pinned it here along with those other foreign clips.

A moving story based on true events that highlights the sheer brutality of the victors. In this case, it follows how the American forces forced German prisoners—mostly just kids—to clear massive stretches of the coastline by planting roughly 45,000 mines under impossible conditions, with zero food, no medical care, and barely any training.

The movie focuses on eleven young German boys who endure daily abuse from an American officer fueled by resentment and hatred toward the enemy. He subjects them to constant psychological warfare, beatings, and intimidation. He even forces them to clear minefields when they can barely stand due to hunger and exhaustion, essentially sentencing them to death without a second thought for their lives.

A gut-wrenching film, free of cheap sentimentality, and deeply touching. 4/5.

It is an exceptionally well-made film. I am honestly surprised I haven't seen it until now, but I have finally corrected that oversight...

That trailer looks sick

It is a solid piece of cinema with a certain undeniable weight to it. That said, one can't help but feel it was practically engineered for an Academy Award run.