Outspoken: Los Angeles

"Outspoken: Los Angeles" quotes Aristotle as saying that all human actions proceed from "chance, nature, compulsion, habit, reason, passion, and desire." In its study of the activist movement surrounding the Iraq War, the documentary from writer/director David Bianchi attempts to apply these causes to modern proponents for peace. While its initial scientific approach offers engaging insight, the film illustrates the forces best in its vivid second half as the focus shifts to the bereaved parents of fallen soldiers.

"Revolution," the doc's first chapter, features an impressive collection of peace activists from the Los Angeles area. Although they hail from several different organizations and backgrounds, they share the primary interest of ending the war in Iraq. Each is well-spoken and passionate, which -- when coupled with the engaging graphics and swift editing -- prevents the film from being a parade of talking heads.

As the activists discuss their work, a few pinpoint why they started speaking up. A sense of obligation (to family, country, God, human decency) is mentioned, which a behavioral analyst confirms in his interview as being a common impetus for action. This concept of psychological exploration holds the most interest in the first half because it's an uncommon approach to the subject of war activism. While the rest of the advocates' commentary does occasionally offer distinctive observations, it's largely filled with familiar discourse that they could likely recite in their sleep. Truly exploring who these influential voices are as individuals could likely fill another equally riveting documentary.

The final chapter of "Outspoken," entitled "Living with the Loss," features people who have the ultimate reason for disliking the Iraq War. Having all lost a son to the violence, they share their experiences and feelings about the ongoing struggle. Three extended interviews form an emotional crescendo, moving from one couple's politicized pain to a grieving mother's overwhelming tears.

What is most unsettling about these segments is that each parent cites some form of mistreatment his or her child underwent while serving. One soldier suffered from dysentery and food shortages, another was convinced by his superiors to redeploy after a serious accident, while another had composed an extensive list of reasons why he wouldn't reenlist once his time was up.

While their qualms with the military could be seen as a derivative of their pain, they also hold themselves personally responsible for "letting" their sons go off to war. In this historic time when the U.S. has an all-volunteer military, it's tragic to realize that this sense of guilt among mourning families and friends is a wide-spread feature of our current war. The subjects go on to exhort other parents that losing a child is "not worth it" and that they feel that they are suffering "for no good reason." "Outspoken" thereby poignantly communicates the frustration felt by these individuals as they wait to see significant progress overseas worthy of their sacrifices.

Maria Gudiño, who lost her son Sergio on Christmas Day 2005, gives the most stirring interview. Speaking softly but assuredly in Spanish, she reveals a realism that lies somewhere between bitterness and agony. Maria is completely candid about the indelibility of her pain, realizing that no matter how many times people call her son a hero, it will never truly console her. The struggle of this heartbroken mother humanizes the sacrifice people like her make every day and pulls the work to which anti-war activists dedicate themselves into focus. Ultimately, Maria's haunting image is what grounds "Outspoken," just as it drives home the resounding message of conscientious advocacy.

"Outspoken: Los Angeles" has already screened as part of the Delray Beach Film Festival and has been selected for this year's Hollywood Black Film Festival.

Website: outspokenthefilm.com