No Result
View All Results
Reserve & National Guard
SUBSCRIBE FREE
No Result
View All Results
Reserve & National Guard
SUBSCRIBE FREE
Reserve & National Guard

‘Retrograde’ documentary captures humanity behind withdrawal from Afghanistan

Will Martin
by Will Martin
January 30, 2023
Retrograde

RETROGRADE captures the final nine months of America's 20-year war in Afghanistan from multiple perspectives. (Tim Grucza/OTP)

When President Biden ordered the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan in 2021, he hoped to put an end to America’s longest war. Much of America seemed ready to put an end to its memory, as well. Public discourse and news coverage quickly shifted to the invasion of Ukraine and the mid-term elections, burying the scars of a 20-year conflict under the weight of America’s short attention span.

But one handful of filmmakers isn’t ready to move on. Their National Geographic documentary “Retrograde” – available on several streaming platforms – captures the humanity behind America’s abrupt exit and its impact on those who remained.

“I hope it reignites a conversation around the war in Afghanistan and the people we left behind,” said director Matthew Heineman in an interview with Reserve & National Guard’s sister publication Military Families Magazine.

 

“Retrograde” initially centers on a dozen Army Green Berets assigned as advisors to Afghan forces in the Helmand Province, led by Gen. Sami Sadat, commander of the Afghan Army’s 215th Corps. But the film is soon forced to pivot to Sadat as its protagonist, as the Green Berets are grieved to learn they’ll be departing on short notice.

“There we were sitting there in Helmand Province and Biden announces he’s pulling out the troops,” said producer Caitlin McNally, who initially wanted to capture the full deployment and reintegration cycle of a Green Beret unit serving in Afghanistan. “We were fortunate to have embedded with a Green Beret team that was working with Gen. Sadat, because he’s this extraordinary human and such a rare fighter.”

Throughout the remainder of the documentary, the filmmakers follow Sadat, a strikingly capable leader whose sheer force of will seems enough to lead his forces and country to successful resistance against the Taliban. The viewer finds themself invigorated, hopeful for a happy ending to a story we know ends in tragedy.

“Part of the narrative tension is this man, who despite every metaphorical neon sign saying, ‘Stop. Give up. Surrender. It’s over. Your country is fallen,’ had this unwavering belief in himself and his men … this unwavering belief until the final days,” Heineman said.

RELATED: Afghanistan evacuation: U.S. allies in ‘a race against time’ one year after troop withdrawal

The Oscar-nominated Heineman is no stranger to heavy topics. Having explored Mexican drug cartels and citizen resistance to ISIS in Syria in past films, his storytelling in “Retrograde” avoids the formulaic and sensationalized documentary styles that saturate Netflix and other streaming services. Instead, he lets the audience share space alongside Green Berets and Sadat as they share a fireside cigar, retreat from pressing Taliban gunfire, or navigate the emotional implosion that comes with watching one’s own people fall to its oppressors.

“That’s my style of filmmaking for better or worse,” Heineman said. “There’s been thousands of news pieces, blogs, social media posts, pontificating on this war. … That was never the intent of this film. The intent of this film is to put you on the ground, in those rooms, in those helicopters, at that airport. Allow you to feel, ‘What if that was me?’ What if that was my cousin? My brother?’”

The filmmakers also hope to spur conversation, helping recenter the non-military American conscience on a war too quickly forgotten. Executive producer Baktash Ahadi, who also served as a translator for U.S. Marines in Afghanistan, hopes the film can serve as a point of connection between Afghanistan veterans and their families, as well.

“I would love for military family members … to have a conversation with them about what they’re going through,” Ahadi said. “Use this film as a starting place to have the courage to have that conversation.”

Watch “Retrograde” on National Geographic and other streaming platforms, like Disney+.

Read comments
Tags: Afghanistan withdrawalBaktash AhadiCaitlin McNallyGeneral Sami SadatMatthew HeinemanNational GeographicRetrograde
Will Martin

Will Martin

Will Martin is an award-winning writer with more than 20 years of journalism and public affairs experience. An Iraq War veteran, he served in the Army National Guard and Air Force Reserve for 21 years before retiring in 2019. His writing passions include military and veterans issues, sports, and social justice.

Related Posts

Army medic receives EMT certification through the military

by Christopher Adams
3 days ago
0
Ambulance standing in night traffic at a motor vehicle accident in early winter, Roseburg Oregon

Spc. Trevor George, who serves in the Minnesota National Guard, trained and served as an Army medic and currently works...

Read more

Security forces awardee credits team for success

by Kari Williams
2 weeks ago
0
security forces

Capt. Paul Day, who is in security forces, is the 2022 Air Reserve Component Company Grade Officer of the Year.

Read more

North Dakota soldier creates protein allergen test for infants

by Crystal Kupper
1 month ago
0
protein allergen test

Dr. Trillitye Paullin, an engineering technical specialist in the North Carolina National Guard, created a protein allergen test for infants.

Read more

Celebrate veterans this November in Branson

by AmeriForce Exclusive
2 months ago
0
Branson

Branson, Missouri, is one of the most veteran-friendly cities in America and will host Veterans Homecoming Week, Nov. 5-12.

Read more

AFRC brings A10s to South America for annual training exercise

by Kari Williams
2 months ago
0
resolute sentinel

Air Force Reserve Command brought A10s to South America for the first time as part of Resolute Sentinel 23.

Read more

Tennessee MPs gain hands-on customs experience with Kuwait deployment

by Christopher Adams
2 months ago
0
customs

More than 150 Tennessee soldiers – several with civilian law enforcement experience – recently deployed to provide customs support overseas.

Read more

Ads

Let's get social

The RNG Drill

News delivered directly to your inbox

Let's connect!

ABOUT US

  • OUR STORY
  • OUR TEAM
  • OUR WRITERS

MAGAZINE

  • GET PRINT
  • GET DIGITAL
  • GET THE NEWSLETTER

ADVERTISE

  • GET OUR MEDIA KIT
  • PUBLISHER’S STATEMENT

SUBMISSIONS

  • SUBMIT YOUR STORY

Never miss out on the latest stories.

© 2021 Reserve & National Guard by AmeriForce. Privacy Policy | Terms | Site by Swiss Commerce

Thank you for your interest in The Reserve & National Guard Magazine!

Thank you for your interest in The Reserve & National Guard Magazine!

No Result
View All Results
  • NEWS
  • YOUR CAREER
    • UNIT TRAINING
    • DEPLOYMENT
    • PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
    • RECRUITING & RETENTION
    • ENTREPRENEUR
    • TRANSITION
  • EDUCATION
  • MILITARY LIFE
    • MILITARY SPOUSES
    • MILITARY KIDS
    • PARENTING
  • OFF DUTY
    • ENTERTAINMENT
    • TRAVEL
  • HEALTH
    • FITNESS
    • MEDICINE
    • MENTAL HEALTH
  • SPORTS
  • OPINION
  • HISTORY
  • MONEY
    • PERSONAL FINANCE
    • BENEFITS
  • GET THE MAGAZINE
    • PRINT MAGAZINES
    • DIGITAL MAGAZINES
    • GET THE NEWSLETTER
  • ABOUT US
    • MEET OUR TEAM
    • OUR AUTHORS
    • ADVERTISE WITH US
    • SUBMIT YOUR STORY
    • PITCH US
    • CONTACT

© 2022 Reserve & National Guard by AmeriForce. Site by SCBW