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First Stripes Gives a Good Glance of Training Days

Whenever someone comes across something military-themed, they think of marching and routines, and salutes, and everything battle-related while some big guy is yelling your ear off. At least that’s what the fictional movies show. But documentaries give a more personal look on the 12-week training period of ordinary citizens who get involved with the Canadian Forces. Specifically the French-Canadians down in Quebec. It starts out with the newcomers introducing themselves and getting to know each other. Next, they’re taught the basics through the seminars they attend. If there’s anything I have to say, it’s that they take cleanliness very seriously out there. The workouts that also happen are quite strenuous to watch. But that’s just the beginning. As the documentary goes on, the training sessions get tougher. As that happens, the troops begin to experience issues such as sicknesses, breaking strict rules, and not keeping up with orders of cleanliness. 

When it comes to documentaries by Jean-Francois Caissy, he always finds a way to get different settings of a long period of time condensed into a short simplistic matter while showing lots of details and interesting facts without providing too many at the same time.

The documentary doesn’t just show the basic run-throughs and routines you usually see, but it also shows how these young adults cope with the new lifestyle. You get a feel for both the newcomers and the sergeants. It’s almost like you’re kind of involved yourself. The set-up of the shots can be either basic or really well-arranged depending on the location. There isn’t much in the way of plot, but you still get a good feel of what goes on. It’s intimidating at times, and others, it’s kind of entertaining. You learn quite a lot whatsoever. Sit down, snap to attention, and check it out for yourself. Who knows? Maybe someday it’ll be us. But in the meantime, enjoy the movie, and then have some money-making fun with Canadian Casino bonuses.

 

 

 

 

Available to view on NFB

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