Ashwin S
Companion Films are two or more films which are set during the same time period but from different perspectives. For example Farhan Akhtar's Lakshya (2004) and Vishnu Vardhan's Shershaah (2021), were both set during the Kargil War, but told different stories. Now, Dhanush's Kara, which is set to release on April 30, is set during the Gulf War of 1991. Let us take a look at different films from the same era.
Airlift (2016)
The evacuation of Indian civilians from Kuwait, as Iraq invaded the nation became largest evacuation in the history of the world. This became the core plotline of the film which stars Akshay Kumar, Nimrat Kaur and Kumud Mishra, among others. The invasion of Kuwait by Iraq led to the Gulf War of 1991.
Jarhead (2004)
Based on the life of US Marine Anthony Swofford, the film asks the question what if a soldier who is put on a path of potential, never sees action throughout a gruelling war. Jarhead, which is a US slang term for a Marine, shows the shock of war on regular civilians. Directed by Sam Mendes, the film has cinematography by Oscar winner Roger Deakins, whose work on the film, especially with the shots of the burning oil well, is a treat for the eyes. The cast for Jarhead includes Jake Gyllenhaal, Peter Saarsgaard, and Jamie Foxx, among others.
The Manchurian Candidate (2004)
The Silence of The Lambs (1991) maker Jonathan Demme retells the story by changing the setting from the Korean War to the Gulf War. Starring Denzel Washington, Liev Schreiber, Meryl Streep, and Jon Voight, the film couples the soldiers' memories of the war and the trauma they underwent with corporate greed.
Three Kings (1999)
War on screen is usually is full of thrill, good or bad. But set in the waning stages of the Gulf War, this David O Russell film follows a group of soldiers who seek some action, after having to deal with boredom. Starring George Clooney, Mark Wahlberg, Ice Cube, and Spike Jonze, Three Kings is based on a story by Oscar Winner John Ridley.
Lessons of Darkness (1992)
What happened after the Iraqi Army set the oil wells of Kuwait on fire (as shown in Jarhead), this documentary by Werner Herzog shows you exactly that. With minimal commentary, Lessons of Darkness shows the price of war only through imagery.