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The Leonard Lopate Show / July 10, 2008 / A Fake Town in a Real War

A Fake Town in a Real War

Thursday, July 10, 2008

In California’s Mojave Desert, the U.S. Army has built a billion-dollar virtual Iraq for the purpose of simulating warfare – complete with Iraqi exiles living in a mock Iraqi village. Tony Gerber and Jesse Moss talk about their new documentary about a fake town’s role in a real war, "Full Battle Rattle." It's now playing at Film Forum (209 West Houston Street) until July 23.


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  • [1] Ann Pappert from Manhattan July 10, 2008 - 12:48PM

    I'm a real news junkie- yet this is new to me. Why haven't we heard more about this.How much media coveerage has this had?
  • [2] Paulo from Paterson, New Jersey July 10, 2008 - 12:50PM

    It seems that without a real threat of death of either yourself or your friends, the combat portion can really only be marginally useful. However, in terms of learning how to behave amongst Iraqis, it seems that it could be fairly useful. The actors can teach them about Iraqi custom and culture. However, that will not prepare them for the real hatred and real fear that some Iraqis will feel in the field.

    I'm not surprised that the soldiers cried at the funeral because they may know people who have actually died, or at the very least feel a bond for the soldiers who died that they didn't know. Their tears were not for the fictional soldier but all the real people he represented.

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