NY Times Review 06July07

Great review in New York Times (July 6, 2007):
http://movies2.nytimes.com/2007/07/06/movies/06shad.html

Private Soldiers for Hire - by Neil Genzlinger
"There isn’t as much exposé as you might expect in “Shadow Company,” a documentary by Nick Bicanic and Jason Bourque about the use of soldiers-for-hire in Iraq and other recent conflicts, but there’s considerably more thoughtfulness.
The film examines the growing use of “private military companies” — the current preferred term — in international conflicts, including by the United States in Iraq. It’s short on specifics, but just hearing the jargon of the people in this business is illuminating. The companies generally are brought in for one of three functions, one expert says: to train, to provide security and other support or “to change the strategic situation.” Hmm.
There are intriguing discussions of the history of mercenaries, of the rules that bind or don’t bind them, and of the fine line between a private soldier whose job is strictly defense (for instance, security) and one whose mandate is more active. Conflicts in which mercenaries played a role are revisited, with Sierra Leone getting a lot of attention. And a cheeky travelogue through Iraq by one private soldier provides a different view of that conflict than you’ll get from the evening news.
It’s a universe as dangerous as it is shady: the film estimates that 250 of these private solders have died in the current Iraq war."
SHADOW COMPANY - Opens today in Manhattan.
Directed by Nick Bicanic and Jason Bourque; director of photography, Mr. Bourque; edited by Les Lukacs; illustrations and comics by Colin Lorimar; produced by Mr. Bicanic and Remy Kozak; released by Purpose Films. At the Anthology Film Archives, 32 Second Avenue, at Second Street, East Village. Running time: 86 minutes. This film is not rated.