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| publisher = Department of Defense | publisher = Department of Defense
| accessdate = 2012-05-30}}</ref> | accessdate = 2012-05-30}}</ref>
==Criticism==
⚫ Two rape survivors and one service provide who appear in "The Invisible War" criticized the filmmakers for their fleeting focus on male victims.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/02/08/16890167-betrayed-male-rape-victims-slam-oscar-nominated-filmmakers-over-focus-on-women |publisher=''NBC News' |date=February 13, 2013 |title='Betrayed': Male rape victims slam Oscar-nominated filmmakers over focus on women |deadurl=no |accessdate=11 February 2013}}</ref>

Since then two more survivors came forward to say that they have been mistreated by directors of the film.

The Service Women Action Network slammed the Invisible War for treating it as a 'white person issue'. The film itself features no women of color among the major protagonists which angered many human rights advocates. http://colorlines.com/archives/2012/01/film_reveals_the_invisible_war_on_women_in_our_military.html |publisher=''Color Lines' |date=January2012]


==Synopsis== ==Synopsis==
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Interspersed with these first person testimonies are interviews with advocates, journalists, mental health professionals, active duty and retired generals, Department of Defense officials, and members of the military justice system. The film also includes footage, often shot by the veterans themselves, which documents their lives and continuing struggles in the aftermath of their assaults. Interspersed with these first person testimonies are interviews with advocates, journalists, mental health professionals, active duty and retired generals, Department of Defense officials, and members of the military justice system. The film also includes footage, often shot by the veterans themselves, which documents their lives and continuing struggles in the aftermath of their assaults.


In the film's most prominent narrative, Coast Guard veteran Seaman ] struggles to earn benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs to pay for the many medical difficulties that have resulted from her rape. With the help of attorney ], Cioca, along with other survivors featured in the film, brings a civil suit against the Department of Defense alleging a failure to adequately address sexual assault within the military. In the film's most prominent narrative, A Coast Guard veteran Seaman struggles to earn benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs to pay for the many medical difficulties that have resulted from her rape. With the help of attorney ], over a dozen survivors some featured in the film, most not, brings a civil suit against the Department of Defense alleging a failure to adequately address sexual assault within the military.


Other past incidents of sexual abuse recounted in the film include the 1991 Navy ], the 1996 Army ], and the 2003 ], and argues that the military has consistently made empty promises to address its high rate of sexual assault. These stories culminate with an examination of the previously unreported<ref name = "beast">{{cite web|url=http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2012/03/06/panetta-gates-rumsfeld-face-new-suit-over-u-s-military-rape-epidemic.html|title = Panetta, Gates, Rumsfeld Face New Suit Over U.S. Military Rape 'Epidemic'|last=Ellison|first=Jese| publisher = The Daily Beast| date = 2012-03-06}}</ref> culture of sexual harassment and sexual assault at the prestigious ]. Other past incidents of sexual abuse recounted in the film include the 1991 Navy ], the 1996 Army ], and the 2003 ], and argues that the military has consistently made empty promises to address its high rate of sexual assault. These stories culminate with an examination of the previously unreported<ref name = "beast">{{cite web|url=http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2012/03/06/panetta-gates-rumsfeld-face-new-suit-over-u-s-military-rape-epidemic.html|title = Panetta, Gates, Rumsfeld Face New Suit Over U.S. Military Rape 'Epidemic'|last=Ellison|first=Jese| publisher = The Daily Beast| date = 2012-03-06}}</ref> culture of sexual harassment and sexual assault at the prestigious ].


The survivors and advocates featured in the film call for changes to the way the military handles sexual assault, such as shifting prosecution away from unit commanders, who often are either friends with assailants or are assailants themselves. For years advocates from the Service Women Action Network, Protect Our Defenders, Military Rape Crisis Center called for changes to the way the military handles sexual assault, such as shifting prosecution away from unit commanders, who often are either friends with assailants or are assailants themselves. The Invisible War was heavily criticized by advocacy groups and veterans for stealing the credit from years that all three of the leading advocacy groups has worked on for years.


==Interviews== ==Interviews==
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* Brigadier General ], M.D., US Army (Retired) * Brigadier General ], M.D., US Army (Retired)
* Major General Dennis Laich, US Army (Retired) * Major General Dennis Laich, US Army (Retired)
* Major General Dennis Laich, US Army (Retired)
* Captain Anu Bhagwati, US Marine Corps (Veteran)


==Response== ==Response==
Two days before the film's premiere at the Sundance Film Festival, Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta called a press conference to discuss the Department of Defense's efforts to help sexual assault survivors. He did not announce changes to enforcement or prosecution.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.defense.gov/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=66839 | title = Panetta Pledges to Hold Sexual Assault Offenders Accountable | last = Parrish | first = Karen | publisher = American Forces Press Service | date = 2012-01-18 | accessdate = 2012-05-30}}</ref> Due to the hard work of advocacy groups such as Protect our Defenders, Military Rape Crisis Center and Service Women Action Network, Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta called a press conference to discuss the Department of Defense's efforts to help sexual assault survivors. He did not announce changes to enforcement or prosecution.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.defense.gov/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=66839 | title = Panetta Pledges to Hold Sexual Assault Offenders Accountable | last = Parrish | first = Karen | publisher = American Forces Press Service | date = 2012-01-18 | accessdate = 2012-05-30}}</ref>

Following its release, ''The Invisible War'' was heralded for exposing a culture of widespread sexual harassment and sexual assault at ].<ref name = "beast"/><ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.limitemagazine.com/2012/06/film-review-invisible-war/ | title = Film Review: The Invisible War | last = Dawson | first = Stephanie | publisher = ''Limité'' | date = 2012-06-19 | accessdate = 2013-01-09}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = http://honeycuttshollywood.com/the-invisible-war-review/ | title = 'The Invisible War' | last = Honeycutt | first = Kirk | publisher = 'Honeycutt's Hollywood'' | date = 2012-05-31 | accessdate = 2013-01-09}}</ref> In March 2012, eight women, including two who appeared in the film, filed suit against military leaders for maintaining an environment that tolerates rapists while silencing survivors.<ref>{{cite web
| url = http://www.armytimes.com/news/2012/03/military-womens-lawsuit-rape-assault-030612w/ | title = Military women’s lawsuit alleges rape, assault | last = Standifer | first = Cid | publisher = ''Army Times'' | date = 2012-03-06 | accessdate = 2012-05-30}}</ref>


] ] viewed the film on April 14, 2012.<ref name = "newsweek">{{cite web | url = http://www.thedailybeast.com/newsweek/2012/06/10/the-invisible-war-filmmaker-kirby-dick-takes-on-the-pentagon.html | title = The Invisible War Filmmaker Kirby Dick Takes on the Pentagon | last = Ellison | first = Jese | publisher = ''The Daily Beast'' | date = 2012-06-11 | accessdate = 2013-01-09}}</ref><ref name = "wrap">{{cite web ] ] viewed the film on April 14, 2012.<ref name = "newsweek">{{cite web | url = http://www.thedailybeast.com/newsweek/2012/06/10/the-invisible-war-filmmaker-kirby-dick-takes-on-the-pentagon.html | title = The Invisible War Filmmaker Kirby Dick Takes on the Pentagon | last = Ellison | first = Jese | publisher = ''The Daily Beast'' | date = 2012-06-11 | accessdate = 2013-01-09}}</ref><ref name = "wrap">{{cite web
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On June 25, 2012, the ] unveiled a new plan to combat sexual assault. Marine Corps Commandant General ] met with all non-deployed Marine generals to review the new procedures, which seek to discourage unsafe environments while increasing reporting.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.stripes.com/news/marines-release-new-plan-to-prevent-sexual-assault-1.181307 | title = Marines release new plan to prevent sexual assault | last = Hlad | first = Jennifer | publisher = ''Stars and Stripes'' | date = 2012-06-25 | accessdate = 2013-01-09}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = http://themilitarysuicidereport.wordpress.com/2012/08/30/the-amos-plans-generals-will-lead-usmcs-fight-against-sexual-assaults-young-corporals-and-sergeants-get-suicide-prevention-its-gonna-be-a-tough-year/ | title = THE AMOS PLANS: Generals Will Lead USMC's Fight Against Sexual Assaults; Young Corporals and Seargeants Get Suicide Prevention…It's Gonna be a Tough Year | publisher = ''The Military Suicide Report'' | date = 2012-08-30 | accessdate = 2013-01-09}}</ref> On January 4, 2013, President ] signed the ]. This law included many improvements to the military's handling of sexual assault cases, such as barring individuals with felony sex abuse convictions from receiving ], forming special victims units to investigate and prosecute sexual assault cases, and installing new policies to prevent professional retaliation against assault survivors.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.armytimes.com/news/2013/01/dn-obama-signs-sequestration-defense-010313 | title = Obama signs sequestration delay, defense bill | last = Bennett | first = John | publisher = ''Army Times'' | date = 2013-01-03 | accessdate = 2013-01-09}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.notinvisible.org/ndaa_fy_2013 | title = National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2013 Wrap-Up | publisher = ''Invisible No More'' | date = 2013-01-04 | accessdate = 2013-01-09}}</ref> On June 25, 2012, the ] unveiled a new plan to combat sexual assault. Marine Corps Commandant General ] met with all non-deployed Marine generals to review the new procedures, which seek to discourage unsafe environments while increasing reporting.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.stripes.com/news/marines-release-new-plan-to-prevent-sexual-assault-1.181307 | title = Marines release new plan to prevent sexual assault | last = Hlad | first = Jennifer | publisher = ''Stars and Stripes'' | date = 2012-06-25 | accessdate = 2013-01-09}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = http://themilitarysuicidereport.wordpress.com/2012/08/30/the-amos-plans-generals-will-lead-usmcs-fight-against-sexual-assaults-young-corporals-and-sergeants-get-suicide-prevention-its-gonna-be-a-tough-year/ | title = THE AMOS PLANS: Generals Will Lead USMC's Fight Against Sexual Assaults; Young Corporals and Seargeants Get Suicide Prevention…It's Gonna be a Tough Year | publisher = ''The Military Suicide Report'' | date = 2012-08-30 | accessdate = 2013-01-09}}</ref> On January 4, 2013, President ] signed the ]. This law included many improvements to the military's handling of sexual assault cases, such as barring individuals with felony sex abuse convictions from receiving ], forming special victims units to investigate and prosecute sexual assault cases, and installing new policies to prevent professional retaliation against assault survivors.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.armytimes.com/news/2013/01/dn-obama-signs-sequestration-defense-010313 | title = Obama signs sequestration delay, defense bill | last = Bennett | first = John | publisher = ''Army Times'' | date = 2013-01-03 | accessdate = 2013-01-09}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.notinvisible.org/ndaa_fy_2013 | title = National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2013 Wrap-Up | publisher = ''Invisible No More'' | date = 2013-01-04 | accessdate = 2013-01-09}}</ref>

According to '']'', the film "has been credited with both persuading more women to come forward to report abuse and with forcing the military to deal more openly with the problem."<ref>{{cite web|last=Risen|first=James|title=Air Force Leaders Testify on Culture That Led to Sexual Assaults of Recruits|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/24/us/air-force-leaders-testify-on-culture-that-led-to-sexual-assaults-of-recruits.html|publisher=''The New York Times''|accessdate=8 April 2013|date=January 23, 2013}}</ref> The ''Times'' also notes that the film helped spur the ] to hold a January 23, 2013 hearing on sexual assault in the military.<ref>{{cite web|last=Rohter|first=Larry|title=A Documentarian Focused on Trauma in Its Many Forms|url=http://carpetbagger.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/01/23/a-documentarian-focused-on-trauma-in-its-many-forms/|publisher=''The New York Times''|accessdate=8 April 2013|date=January 23, 2013}}</ref> During the hearing, Rep. ] acknowledged the film for illustrating the hostility faced by many survivors who speak up or seek help.<ref>{{cite web|title=House Armed Services Committee Holds Hearing on Sexual Misconduct at Lackland Air Force Base , Panel 1|url=http://protectourdefenders.com/downloads/Lackland_Hearing_Complete_1_23_2013.pdf|publisher=CQ Congressional Transcripts|accessdate=8 April 2013|date=January 23, 2013}}</ref>

''The Invisible War'' was again discussed during a Senate subcommittee hearing on March 13, 2013 in which lawmakers and military officials described the film's impact on military training programs dealing with sexual assault.<ref>{{cite web|title=Hearing to Receive Testimony on Sexual Assaults in the Military|url=http://www.armed-services.senate.gov/Transcripts/2013/03%20March/13-10%20-%203-13-13.pdf|publisher=United States Senate|accessdate=8 April 2013|date=March 13, 2013}}</ref> In November 2012 Air Force Chief of Staff General Mark Welsh met with all active wing commanders to screen the film and discuss the problem of rape in the military.<ref name=beast2013>{{cite web|last=Rosenberg|first=Alyssa|title=‘The Invisible War’: How Oscar’s Military Rape Documentary Might Change Everything|url=http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2013/02/07/the-invisible-war-how-oscar-s-military-rape-documentary-might-change-everything.html|publisher=''The Daily Beast''|accessdate=8 April 2013|date=February 7, 2013}}</ref> The film's distributor estimates that 235,000 service members viewed ''The Invisible War'' in 2012.<ref name=beast2013/>


==Reception== ==Reception==
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'']'' Christopher Wallenberg noted that ''The Invisible War'' "achieved a rare feat for a documentary by breaking a national news story: The alleged coverup of incidents of sexual assault and harassment at the prestigious Marine Barracks Washington." Other critics also focused on the film's investigative journalism,<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jonathan-kim/the-invisible-war_b_1606825.html | title = ReThink Interview: Kirby Dick and Amy Ziering on ''The Invisible War'' | last = Kim | first = Jonathan | publisher = ''The Huffington Post'' | date = 2012-06-20 | accessdate = 2013-01-09}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.slantmagazine.com/house/2012/06/human-rights-watch-film-festival-2012-the-invisible-war/ | title = Human Rights Watch Film Festival 2012: ''The Invisible War'' | last = Bittencourt | first = Ela | publisher = ''Slant Magazine'' | date = 2012-06-13 | accessdate = 2013-01-09}}</ref> including ], who wrote in '']'' that Dick is "one of the indispensable muckrakers of American cinema, zeroing in on frequently painful stories about how power functions in the absence or failure of accountability."<ref>{{cite news| url = http://movies.nytimes.com/2012/06/22/movies/the-invisible-war-directed-by-kirby-dick.html?ref=movies| title = For Some Who Served, an Awful Betrayal of Trust: 'The Invisible War,' directed by Kirby Dick| last = Scott| first = A. O.|newspaper =The New York Times| date = 2012-06-21}}</ref> '']'' Christopher Wallenberg noted that ''The Invisible War'' "achieved a rare feat for a documentary by breaking a national news story: The alleged coverup of incidents of sexual assault and harassment at the prestigious Marine Barracks Washington." Other critics also focused on the film's investigative journalism,<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jonathan-kim/the-invisible-war_b_1606825.html | title = ReThink Interview: Kirby Dick and Amy Ziering on ''The Invisible War'' | last = Kim | first = Jonathan | publisher = ''The Huffington Post'' | date = 2012-06-20 | accessdate = 2013-01-09}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.slantmagazine.com/house/2012/06/human-rights-watch-film-festival-2012-the-invisible-war/ | title = Human Rights Watch Film Festival 2012: ''The Invisible War'' | last = Bittencourt | first = Ela | publisher = ''Slant Magazine'' | date = 2012-06-13 | accessdate = 2013-01-09}}</ref> including ], who wrote in '']'' that Dick is "one of the indispensable muckrakers of American cinema, zeroing in on frequently painful stories about how power functions in the absence or failure of accountability."<ref>{{cite news| url = http://movies.nytimes.com/2012/06/22/movies/the-invisible-war-directed-by-kirby-dick.html?ref=movies| title = For Some Who Served, an Awful Betrayal of Trust: 'The Invisible War,' directed by Kirby Dick| last = Scott| first = A. O.|newspaper =The New York Times| date = 2012-06-21}}</ref>

Jonathan Hahn of ''The Los Angeles Review of Books'' said, "There are some works of writing or painting, speech, or film that do more than just stand as great works of art. They change things. They put before us something fundamentally wrong with the world — with the society we take for granted, with the institutions on which we depend and that in turn depend on us — and demand change. ''The Invisible War'' belongs in that pantheon, and is easily one of the most important films of the year."<ref>{{cite web|last=Hahn|first=Jonathan|title=Jonathan Hahn interviews Amy Ziering and Kirby Dick|url=http://lareviewofbooks.org/article.php?id=712&fulltext=1|publisher=]|date=June 22, 2012}}</ref>

⚫ Two survivors and one service provider who appear in "The Invisible War" criticized the filmmakers for their fleeting focus on male victims.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/02/08/16890167-betrayed-male-rape-victims-slam-oscar-nominated-filmmakers-over-focus-on-women |publisher=''NBC News' |date=February 13, 2013 |title='Betrayed': Male rape victims slam Oscar-nominated filmmakers over focus on women |deadurl=no |accessdate=11 February 2013}}</ref>


==Awards and nominations== ==Awards and nominations==
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|] |]
|Best Feature |Best Feature
|bgcolor="#ffdddd"|Nominated<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.documentary.org/awards2012|title = IDA Documentary Awards 2012|accessdate = 2012-01-08}}</ref> |bgcolor="#ffdddd"|LOST<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.documentary.org/awards2012|title = IDA Documentary Awards 2012|accessdate = 2012-01-08}}</ref>
|- |-
|rowspan="5"|2013 |rowspan="5"|2013
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|] |]
|Best Documentary Screenplay |Best Documentary Screenplay
|bgcolor="#ffdddd"|Nominated<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/wga-awards-nominations-408430|title = WGA Announces Nominations Ranging from 'Lincoln' to 'Looper'|last = Kilday|first = Gregg|date = January 4, 2012|accessdate = 2012-01-08}}</ref> |bgcolor="#ffdddd"|LOST<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/wga-awards-nominations-408430|title = WGA Announces Nominations Ranging from 'Lincoln' to 'Looper'|last = Kilday|first = Gregg|date = January 4, 2012|accessdate = 2012-01-08}}</ref>
|- |-
|] |]
|] |]
|Best Documentary Feature |Best Documentary Feature
|bgcolor="#ffdddd"|Nominated<ref name = "latimes"/> |bgcolor="#ffdddd"|LOST<ref name = "latimes"/>
|- |-
|] |]
|] |]
|Documentary Directing |Documentary Directing
|bgcolor="#ffdddd"|Nominated<ref>{{cite web|last=Ford|first=Rebecca|title=DGA Awards Documentary Nominations Announced|url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/dga-awards-documentary-nominations-announced-412153|publisher=''The Hollywood Reporter''|accessdate=16 January 2013|date=January 14, 2013}}</ref> |bgcolor="#ffdddd"|LOST<ref>{{cite web|last=Ford|first=Rebecca|title=DGA Awards Documentary Nominations Announced|url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/dga-awards-documentary-nominations-announced-412153|publisher=''The Hollywood Reporter''|accessdate=16 January 2013|date=January 14, 2013}}</ref>
|- |-
|] |]

Revision as of 00:18, 22 April 2013

2012 American film
The Invisible War
Directed byKirby Dick
Written byKirby Dick
Produced byAmy Ziering
Tanner King Barklow
CinematographyThaddeus Wadleigh
Kirsten Johnson
Edited byDouglas Blush
Derek Boonstra
Music byMary J. Blige
Production
company		Chain Camera Pictures
Distributed byCinedigm
Docurama Films
Release datesJanuary 20, 2012 (Sundance Film Festival)
June 22, 2012 (USA) May, 27 2013(Independent Lens)
Running time97 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

The Invisible War is a 2012 documentary film written and directed by Kirby Dick and produced by Amy Ziering and Tanner King Barklow about sexual assault in the United States military. It premiered at the 2012 Sundance Film Festival, where it received the U.S. Documentary Audience Award. The film was nominated for Best Documentary Feature at the 85th Academy Awards.

Background

Main article: Military sexual trauma

In 2010, 108,121 veterans screened positive for military sexual trauma, and 68,379 had at least one Veterans Health Administration outpatient visit for related conditions. Also in 2010, The Department of Defense processed reports of 3,198 new assaults but estimated the actual number of assaults to be closer to 19,000. However, these reports only resulted in convictions against 244 perpetrators.

Criticism

Two rape survivors and one service provide who appear in "The Invisible War" criticized the filmmakers for their fleeting focus on male victims.

Since then two more survivors came forward to say that they have been mistreated by directors of the film.

The Service Women Action Network slammed the Invisible War for treating it as a 'white person issue'. The film itself features no women of color among the major protagonists which angered many human rights advocates. http://colorlines.com/archives/2012/01/film_reveals_the_invisible_war_on_women_in_our_military.html |publisher=Color Lines' |date=January2012]

Synopsis

The Invisible War features interviews with veterans from multiple branches of the United States Armed Forces who recount the events surrounding their assaults. Their stories show many common themes, such as the lack of recourse to an impartial justice system, reprisals against survivors instead of against perpetrators, the absence of adequate emotional and physical care for survivors, the unhindered advancement of perpetrators' careers, and the forced expulsion of survivors from service.

Interspersed with these first person testimonies are interviews with advocates, journalists, mental health professionals, active duty and retired generals, Department of Defense officials, and members of the military justice system. The film also includes footage, often shot by the veterans themselves, which documents their lives and continuing struggles in the aftermath of their assaults.

In the film's most prominent narrative, A Coast Guard veteran Seaman struggles to earn benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs to pay for the many medical difficulties that have resulted from her rape. With the help of attorney Susan L. Burke, over a dozen survivors some featured in the film, most not, brings a civil suit against the Department of Defense alleging a failure to adequately address sexual assault within the military.

Other past incidents of sexual abuse recounted in the film include the 1991 Navy Tailhook scandal, the 1996 Army Aberdeen scandal, and the 2003 Air Force Academy scandal, and argues that the military has consistently made empty promises to address its high rate of sexual assault. These stories culminate with an examination of the previously unreported culture of sexual harassment and sexual assault at the prestigious Marine Barracks Washington.

For years advocates from the Service Women Action Network, Protect Our Defenders, Military Rape Crisis Center called for changes to the way the military handles sexual assault, such as shifting prosecution away from unit commanders, who often are either friends with assailants or are assailants themselves. The Invisible War was heavily criticized by advocacy groups and veterans for stealing the credit from years that all three of the leading advocacy groups has worked on for years.

Interviews

People interviewed in The Invisible War include:

Members of Congress

Military personnel

  • Major General Mary Kay Hertog, Director, Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office
  • Dr. Kaye Whitley, Former Director, Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office
  • Rear Admiral Anthony Kurta, Director, Military Plans and Policy
  • General Claudia Kennedy, US Army (Retired)
  • Brigadier General Wilma L. Vaught, US Air Force (Retired)
  • Brigadier General Loree Sutton, M.D., US Army (Retired)
  • Major General Dennis Laich, US Army (Retired)
  • Major General Dennis Laich, US Army (Retired)
  • Captain Anu Bhagwati, US Marine Corps (Veteran)

Response

Due to the hard work of advocacy groups such as Protect our Defenders, Military Rape Crisis Center and Service Women Action Network, Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta called a press conference to discuss the Department of Defense's efforts to help sexual assault survivors. He did not announce changes to enforcement or prosecution.

Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta viewed the film on April 14, 2012. On April 16, 2012, Secretary Panetta issued a directive ordering all sexual assault cases to be handled by senior officers at the rank of colonel or higher, which effectively ended the practice of commanders adjudicating these cases from within their own units. Panetta later told one of the film's producers that watching The Invisible War contributed to his decision to revise this policy.

On June 25, 2012, the Marine Corps unveiled a new plan to combat sexual assault. Marine Corps Commandant General James F. Amos met with all non-deployed Marine generals to review the new procedures, which seek to discourage unsafe environments while increasing reporting. On January 4, 2013, President Barack Obama signed the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2013. This law included many improvements to the military's handling of sexual assault cases, such as barring individuals with felony sex abuse convictions from receiving enlistment waivers, forming special victims units to investigate and prosecute sexual assault cases, and installing new policies to prevent professional retaliation against assault survivors.

Reception

The Invisible War received widespread acclaim from critics. At the end of 2012, it held a 100% Fresh rating from review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, which also listed it as the #1 film of the year

The film appeared on numerous year-end best lists, including in The New York Times, Time, and the National Board of Review. The Chicago Film Critics Association named it the Best Documentary of 2012.

The Christian Science Monitor’s Peter Rainer observed that the film broke new ground, as it "was the first to really explore the issue of rape in the military" and that "the fact that this subject has taken so long to achieve full-scale exposure was itself symptomatic of the problem." He selected it as one of the top ten films of the year.

The Boston Globe’s Christopher Wallenberg noted that The Invisible War "achieved a rare feat for a documentary by breaking a national news story: The alleged coverup of incidents of sexual assault and harassment at the prestigious Marine Barracks Washington." Other critics also focused on the film's investigative journalism, including A. O. Scott, who wrote in The New York Times that Dick is "one of the indispensable muckrakers of American cinema, zeroing in on frequently painful stories about how power functions in the absence or failure of accountability."

Awards and nominations

Year Award Organization Category Result
2012 Audience Award Sundance Film Festival Best Documentary Won
Nestor Almendros Award Human Rights Watch Film Festival Courage in Filmmaking Won
Silver Heart Award Dallas International Film Festival Humanitarian Award Won
Audience Award Seattle International Film Festival Best Documentary Won
Audience Award Provincetown International Film Festival Best Documentary Feature Won
Best of Festival DocuWest International Documentary Film Festival Humanitarian Award Won
Advocacy Award Peace Over Violence Humanitarian Award Won
IDA Award International Documentary Association Best Feature LOST
2013 Spirit Award Film Independent Best Documentary Won
WGA Award Writers Guild of America Best Documentary Screenplay LOST
Academy Award Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Best Documentary Feature LOST
DGA Award Directors Guild of America Documentary Directing LOST
Ridenhour Prize The Nation Institute Documentary Film Won

References

  1. "The Invisible War at Sundance Film Festival". Retrieved 2012-05-30.
  2. ^ "Oscars 2013: Complete list of nominees". The Los Angeles Times. January 10, 2013. Retrieved 10 January 2013. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  3. "Department of Defense Annual Report on Sexual Assault in the Military: Fiscal Year 2010" (PDF). Department of Defense. Retrieved 2012-05-30.
  4. "'Betrayed': Male rape victims slam Oscar-nominated filmmakers over focus on women". NBC News'. February 13, 2013. Retrieved 11 February 2013. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help); Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  5. Ellison, Jese (2012-03-06). "Panetta, Gates, Rumsfeld Face New Suit Over U.S. Military Rape 'Epidemic'". The Daily Beast.
  6. Parrish, Karen (2012-01-18). "Panetta Pledges to Hold Sexual Assault Offenders Accountable". American Forces Press Service. Retrieved 2012-05-30.
  7. Ellison, Jese (2012-06-11). "The Invisible War Filmmaker Kirby Dick Takes on the Pentagon". The Daily Beast. Retrieved 2013-01-09. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  8. ^ Pond, Steve (2012-06-18). "Military Rape Documentary 'Invisible War' Leads to Policy Changes Before Its Opening". The Wrap. Retrieved 2012-07-06.
  9. Daniel, Lisa (2012-04-16). "Panetta, Dempsey Announce Initiatives to Stop Sexual Assault". American Forces Press Service.
  10. Hlad, Jennifer (2012-06-25). "Marines release new plan to prevent sexual assault". Stars and Stripes. Retrieved 2013-01-09. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  11. "THE AMOS PLANS: Generals Will Lead USMC's Fight Against Sexual Assaults; Young Corporals and Seargeants Get Suicide Prevention…It's Gonna be a Tough Year". The Military Suicide Report. 2012-08-30. Retrieved 2013-01-09. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  12. Bennett, John (2013-01-03). "Obama signs sequestration delay, defense bill". Army Times. Retrieved 2013-01-09. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  13. "National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2013 Wrap-Up". Invisible No More. 2013-01-04. Retrieved 2013-01-09. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  14. "The Invisible War at Rotten Tomatoes". Retrieved 2012-01-09.
  15. "The Invisible War at Metacritic". Retrieved 2012-07-06.
  16. "Top 100 Movies of 2012". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved 2012-01-09.
  17. Holden, Stephen (2012-12-16). "The Year of the Body Vulnerable". The New York Times.
  18. Corliss, Richard (2012-12-04). "The Invisible War". Top 10 Everything of 2012. Time. Retrieved 10 January 2013. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  19. "2012 NBR Awards Announced". National Board of Review. 2012-12-05. Retrieved 10 January 2013.
  20. Benzine, Adam (December 17, 2012). ""Invisible War" feted by Chicago Critics". real screen. Retrieved 10 January 2013.
  21. Rainer, Peter (June 27, 2012). "The Invisible War: movie review". The Christian Science Monitor. Retrieved 10 January 2013. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  22. Rainer, Peter (December 21, 2012). "The best films of 2012". The Christian Science Monitor. Retrieved 10 January 2013. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  23. Kim, Jonathan (2012-06-20). "ReThink Interview: Kirby Dick and Amy Ziering on The Invisible War". The Huffington Post. Retrieved 2013-01-09. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  24. Bittencourt, Ela (2012-06-13). "Human Rights Watch Film Festival 2012: The Invisible War". Slant Magazine. Retrieved 2013-01-09. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  25. Scott, A. O. (2012-06-21). "For Some Who Served, an Awful Betrayal of Trust: 'The Invisible War,' directed by Kirby Dick". The New York Times.
  26. Jonathan Riskind (February 26, 2012). "Collins, Snowe rank as least conservative GOP senators". Maine Sunday Telegram. MaineToday Media, Inc.; www.pressherald.com. Retrieved March 4, 2012.
  27. "British film continues to shine at Sundance". The Daily Telegraph. Telegraph Media Group Limited; www.telegraph.co.uk. February 8, 2012. Retrieved March 4, 2012.
  28. "Sundance: The Invisible War at The Human Rights Watch Film Festival". Retrieved 2013-01-08.
  29. Libresco, Caroline. "Silver Heart Award Winner: The Invisible War". Retrieved 2012-01-08.
  30. "SIFF 2012 Award Winners". Retrieved 2013-01-08.
  31. "Provincetown International Film Festival". Retrieved 2012-01-08.
  32. "DocuWest International Documentary Film Festival: September 11-15, 2013". Retrieved 2013-02-28.
  33. "Annual Humanitarian Awards - Peace Over Violence". Retrieved 2013-02-28.
  34. "IDA Documentary Awards 2012". Retrieved 2012-01-08.
  35. "The Invisible War - Spirit Awards 2013". Retrieved 2013-02-28.
  36. Kilday, Gregg (January 4, 2012). "WGA Announces Nominations Ranging from 'Lincoln' to 'Looper'". Retrieved 2012-01-08.
  37. Ford, Rebecca (January 14, 2013). "DGA Awards Documentary Nominations Announced". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 16 January 2013. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  38. Lee, Diana (February 22, 2013). "2013 Ridenhour Documentary Film Prize Winner Announced". The Nation Institute. Retrieved 28 February 2013. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)

External links

Films directed by Kirby Dick
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