In Alex Garland’s movie “Civil War,” the battling sides of Texas and California seem to have forgotten the reasons behind their conflict.
Garland chooses not to explicitly state the cause of the fight. The movie, which premiered at SXSW, portrays a future America torn apart by a civil war, with its two most populous states having declared independence. Instead of delving into the political reasons, the film centers on a group of journalists covering the conflict from all angles.
Garland mentioned during a post-screening Q&A that the movie aims to spark a conversation without making definitive statements. He believes the audience inherently understands the underlying causes, reflecting broader issues of division and populism affecting many countries.
The film leaves viewers puzzled about why Texas and California would oppose the U.S., a choice that sparked much debate online after the trailer’s release. Garland expressed his preference for fostering unity over detailing political specifics, aiming for the film to be a platform for finding common ground.
Garland drew inspiration from his upbringing around journalists, including his father, a political cartoonist. He highlighted the importance of journalism in a free society, despite recent distrust and criticism towards the profession.
“Civil War” features Kirsten Dunst, Cailee Spaeny, Wagner Moura, and Stephen McKinley Henderson as war journalists, with Nick Offerman playing the U.S. president. The cast shared their preparation for their roles, emphasizing the significance of understanding their characters’ professions and passions.
Dunst, portraying a renowned journalist, shared how she immersed herself in the role by learning to handle cameras proficiently. Spaeny, playing an aspiring photojournalist, spoke about drawing inspiration from real-life photographers to shape her character.
Moura, who plays a colleague of Dunst’s character, discussed his research into combat journalism to capture the emotional realities of the field. Garland emphasized the film’s anti-war message, aiming to counter the often glamorized portrayal of conflict in cinema.
He sought to challenge the allure of war through specific music choices, aiming to evoke a sense of repulsion rather than excitement, underscoring the film’s critical stance on civil conflict.