Classic film in which Nick Broomfield hones his participatory style, ultimately making Eugene Terreblanche and the racist AWB look completely ridiculous. ***
dir. Nick Broomfield and Joan Churchill, 87 mins, 1981 (UK/USA)
An unpolished observational film about the training of female soldiers in the US Army. Avoids the trademark Broomfield style, with little intervention by the filmmakers. Recruits undergo a punishing regime and some cope better than others. Dark humour comes from the young private who can't stop sniggering and another who inflicts punishment on former buddies after being bumped up a rank. A couple of the girls are released from training - one of whom admits to having faked madness in order to get out. One of the most interesting segments is right at the end, where we are invited to sympathise with the troubled Sergeant Abing. There's also an unforgettable bit involving a chicken. ****
