Canadian, Sniper” is a 2024 Canadian drama directed by Michel Kandinsky. The film delves into the psychological struggles of a military sniper returning from Afghanistan, grappling with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as he attempts to reintegrate into civilian life on a secluded northern farm.
Synopsis
The plot focuses on an anonymous army sniper who is played by François Arnaud, and his return from Afghanistan to his remote family’s house. Having gone through the trauma he is diagnosed with PTSD which makes him unable to tell the difference between his imagination, hallucination and reality. Time is difficult to comprehend within his psyche as past, present and future appear to spiral into one another. Amidst his violent self and confusion, he tries to come to terms with the failing health of his father who is also a Vietnam War veteran. The movie succeeds in shedding light on the dilemma of PTSD that is often faced by veterans and how soldiers in a family suffer from the same curse of war trauma.
Awards & Wins
As of December 2024, “Canadian, Sniper” has garnered critical acclaim on the film festival circuit. Notably, it was featured at the Arizona International Film Festival, where it was praised for its authentic portrayal of PTSD and the veteran experience.
Cast & Crew
- Director & Writer: Michel Kandinsky
- Producer: Rick Bartram
- Cinematography: Duraid Munajim
- Music: Jonathan Kawchuk
- Editing: Rick Bartram
IMDb Ratings
According to user reviews the film “Canadian, Sniper” has an IMDb score of 7.2/10. Some people appreciated the film for reasonably portraying PTSD and other aspects owing to the quality of acting shown.
Personal Insights
By the portrayal of a soldier’s struggles with internalized PTSD in ‘Canadian, Sniper’, the film demonstrates an engaging internal conflict. Also, the imaginary situations that are seemingly witnessed by the character help to build an understanding of his delusional state of mind. Arnaud’s acting is very convincing, as he embodies a man who is conflicted by his past and present. The landscape photography is similarly barren in geography and emotional focus which the lead seems to be facing as well.
Cultural Significance
This movie is quite important with regards to the conversation that revolves around mental health of veterans. In particular, Canadian soldiers are put in perspective which highlights how PTSD is a problem that isn’t only limited to a specific country. Furthermore, the image of the veteran and the father-son relationship with the protagonist serves to bring out the cyclical history of war and trauma. As “Canadian, Sniper” illustrates, every soldier returning from service has their battles which are often ignored and one such battle where focus should be further increased is veteran’s mental health.
