Restrepo

Restrepo is a 2010 American documentary film directed by Tim Hetherington and Sebastian Junger. The film chronicles the deployment of a platoon of U.S. Army soldiers in the Korengal Valley of Afghanistan, focusing on their experiences in one of the most dangerous outposts in the region, named Restrepo. The documentary was filmed by Junger and Hetherington over the course of fifteen months in 2007 and 2008.

The film centers on the soldiers' daily lives, their battles against the Taliban, and the psychological toll of constant warfare. It offers an intimate look at the realities of combat, highlighting the camaraderie, fear, and bravery of the soldiers. The narrative follows the soldiers as they undertake patrols, engage in firefights, and deal with the aftermath of combat. The outpost itself, Restrepo, was named in honor of one of their fallen comrades, medic Juan Sebastián Restrepo.

Restrepo received critical acclaim for its raw portrayal of war and its impact on soldiers. It was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature. The film was praised for its immersive approach, allowing viewers to experience the war alongside the soldiers without the typical narrative voiceover or overt political commentary. The filmmakers aimed to present an unvarnished look at the human experience of war in a remote and hostile environment. Following the release of Restrepo, Hetherington and Junger went on to create a follow-up documentary, "Korengal," which revisited some of the same soldiers and themes.